American Immigration

May 11, 2020
This volume tackles the seesaw history of U.S. immigration: “Debates over immigration have been noisy and emotional.... This book tries to explain why.” Krull (The Only Woman in the Photo) begins by pointing out that the people often thought of as “settlers” were actually immigrants. From there, she traces continuous waves of immigration to the country—German groups in the 18th century, Chinese and Irish Catholics in the 19th century, and Cuban refugees in 1980, among others—tracking the oscillation of public opinion and government policy between acceptance and rejection. Key pieces of U.S. legislation, shaped by fear and inclusive idealism, are discussed, from the white-men-only 1790 Naturalization Law through the 1965 Hart-Cellar Act abolishing racial quotas, up to President Trump’s family separation policy. Capsule biographies of U.S. immigrants (from Trump’s grandfather to Larissa Martinez, an undocumented high school student) punctuate the chapters. Throughout, Krull’s efforts are complicated by choices that range from problematic to debatable (an uncritically positive view of “assimilation,” for example), dulling the luster of Krull’s otherwise persuasive argument that “America came from nothing to be what it is today because of immigrants.” Ages 8–12.

May 1, 2020

Gr 5-8-Krull explores the history of immigration in America and strives to offer a comprehensive view of an issue that continues to impact many young people. The text traces the country's complicated relationship with immigration and immigrants up to the current rulings of the Trump administration. Breaking chapters up with "Immigrant Story" and "Pro and Con" subsections, the narrative moves quickly. However, factual errors, misrepresentations, and oversimplifications prevent the book from achieving its full objective. For example, chapter 12 states "America won the (Mexican-American) War and promptly swallowed, or took over, present-day Texas." Texas was annexed by the U.S. in 1845 and became the 28th state before the war started the following year. The admittedly brief section regarding Andrew Jackson's treatment of Native people omits the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Throughout the text, and particularly beginning in chapter eight, the word "Muslim" is used as a term denoting both religious and ethnic identity. The interchanging usage of the word without proper explanation could confuse young readers. The text also lacks a substantive discussion of the role the U.S. played in creating the military and humanitarian crises that have driven and continue to drive waves of immigration from around the world. There is little to no mention of U.S. sanctions, coups, puppet governments, or many other destabilizing interventions. VERDICT An admirable attempt to address complicated and timely issues concerning immigration throughout U.S. history up to the present day, but the text is unfortunately marred by factual errors, misrepresentations, and oversimplifications.-Ted McCoy, Austin Public Library, Austin, TX

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2020
Beginning with the arrival of the continent's first Indigenous inhabitants and ending with events following the 2016 election, this book chronicles the social, cultural, and political trends that have shaped the United States' historically fraught relationship with immigration. Krull contextualizes important pieces of legislation such as the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, tracing how everything from labor demands to world wars shaped American attitudes toward newcomers. The text is peppered with profiles of immigrants, ranging from the children onboard the Mayflower to cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who immigrated to the States from China via France, and Apple founder Steve Jobs, whose birth father and adoptive mother were both immigrants. Laudably, Krull categorically dismisses the classification of slaves as immigrants, and she frankly recounts the genocide of Native Americans. Too often, though, Krull approaches immigration from a deficit mentality. For example, she characterizes immigrants who are learning English as poor performers in school rather than framing them as bilingual; uncritically recounts America's openness to "any able-bodied immigrant"; and praises the fact that "all" newcomers to America "have assimilated," without acknowledging the cultural loss that entails. Most problematically, she asserts without any context that "it's human nature to be suspicious of people different than us," seemingly excusing the very xenophobia the book clearly wishes to fight. This comprehensive take on American immigration history is strong on facts and weak on analysis. (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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May 15, 2020
Grades 4-7 Introducing this very readable history of American immigration, Krull describes the United States as a country united by shared values formed during the Age of Enlightenment and stated in the founding documents. The chapters that follow offer numerous examples of times when specific groups of immigrants were made to feel unwelcome based on criteria such as race, national origin, language, or religion. Particular attention is paid to women as immigrants, both in an early chapter and in later ones. While describing waves of immigrants, the reasons they came, and the difficulties they faced here, the book also includes a great many features introducing noteworthy individuals, pertinent quotes, or relevant ideas, events, or books. Appearing within the main text, yet with a different typeface and narrower margins, these features simultaneously support the main narrative and interrupt its flow. Illustrations include archival documents, prints, paintings, and many photos. In the closing chapters, Krull discusses some of the the issues surrounding immigration today, then looks toward the future. A clearly written, informative, and timely discussion of immigration.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)