By Ellen Sechrest, CBF Director of Mission Engagement
As the new school year begins, we want to offer some suggested readings, ways to meet new friends that may be new to the United States or have been living her long-term, things to ask and things not to say to our new friends. This list is for students, teachers, parents, grandparents, caregivers, guidance counselors, resource officers and anyone who cares about being a good neighbor.
The following list was compiled from outreach that was received from: an ESL teacher on TPS (Temporary Protective Status) from Venezuela, a Latino mother who is a farm worker in Immokalee, Florida, an American ESL teacher, a mother and her three Ugandan-American children, a Venezuelan mother on TPS with a kindergartener and a former children/youth pastor.
First, remember everyone is created in the image of God and Christ reminds us in Matthew 22:34–40 with “The Great Commandment.”
“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’mAll the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Book recommendations for children or youth (adults should always preview the book for appropriateness for the age of the reader)
1. “The Name Jar” by Yangsook Choi
This is one of my favorite books for this topic. It tells the story of a young girl who moves from Korea to the United States and worries that her classmates won’t be able to pronounce her name. It opens wonderful conversations about identity, belonging, kindness and the importance of respecting someone’s name and culture.
2. “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson
This beautifully illustrated book helps children understand what it feels like to be different or to feel like an outsider. It encourages empathy, courage, inclusion and celebrating each person’s unique story. It’s excellent for helping students think about how they can make others feel welcome.
3. “Danbi Leads the School Parade” by Anna Kim
On her first day at her new American school, Danbi has trouble understanding her teacher’s instructions and her classmates’ games. But over lunch, Danbi finds a way to meld her two cultures and create a new game, one everyone can play. An uplifting picture book about finding connection through, not despite, our differences.
4. “When Stars Are Scattered” by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson
Many of those who immigrate to America first spend years in refugee camps while they wait to be granted entry into a new country. Omar Mohamed and his younger brother, Hassan, Somali refugees separated from their parents, spent most of their boyhoods in one such camp. This remarkable graphic memoir unfolds over 15 years, as Omar and Hassan build a life and community in an overcrowded camp before finally resettling in America.
5. “Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship” by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
Amina and her family moved from Syria to Indiana, and although she is still getting used to her new home, she can’t wait to make friends. But Amina soon discovers that starting over in a new place is more challenging than she expected. This upbeat chapter book series for 6 to 9-year-olds highlights the immigrant experience through lighthearted and optimistic stories.
6. This link will give you recommendations for 20 culturally authentic books about immigration that will help kids understand what’s happening along the U.S.-Mexico border.
7. “Until Someone Listens” by Estela Juarez, Lissette Norman and Teresa Martínez, This book is an autobiography that tells the story of an 8-year-old girl whose mother is deported to Mexico, prompting her to write letters to newspapers, Congress and the President to bring her family back. Recommend for K5-2nd grade.
8. “Santiago’s Dinosaurios” by Mariana Ríos Ramírez and illustrated by Udayana Lugo.
A story of a young immigrant boy who uses a shared love for dinosaurs to overcome a language barrier on his first day of school in the United States. Recommended for K5-3rd grade.
9. “Separate IsNever Equal by Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation” by Duncan Tonatiuh
10. “The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child” by Francisco Jiménez Twelve short stories tell the life of a migrant child as his family works on a farm in California.
11. “We Are Not From Here” by Jenny Torres Sanchez, recommended for adults to read first and then decide if you will allow your teen to read. A story of three Guatemalan teens fleeing danger (crime and abuse), braving incredible obstacles as they journey across borders in search of hope, survival and opportunity.
12. For teachers, we recommend “The Newcomer Student” by Carla C. Johnson. It offers practical strategies for creating an inclusive classroom and supporting immigrant and multilingual students.
Here are a few simple Do’s and Don’ts that children/youth can easily understand:
Do:
- Smile and introduce yourself
- Invite the new student to sit with you or join your group
- Be patient if they are still learning English
- Learn how to pronounce their name correctly
- Ask respectful questions about their culture, food or traditions
- Include them in games and classroom activities
- Remember that a smile and kindness speak every language
- Invite them to your birthday party
- Help the class celebrate their birthday and other holidays
Don’t:
- Laugh at their accent or pronunciation
- Make fun of their food, clothes, or customs
- Assume they don’t understand or aren’t smart because they are learning English
- Speak about them as if they aren’t there
- Force them to share their story if they aren’t comfortable
- Leave them alone when you can invite them to participate
- Ask them if they are ‘legal’ or documented
For children/youth to consider:
This new school year isn’t just about new outfits and supplies. It may be feeling more difficult for new students at your school, ESPECIALLY if they are from outside of the United States and adjusting to American life. It’s feeling more complicated because of the recent activity of arrests and deportations. Here’s a guide of what to know and how to show up this school year.
Terms to Know…
- ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) – A U.S. government agency that enforces immigration laws. ICE may arrest, detain or remove people who do not have permission to stay in the United States.
- CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) – A U.S. government agency that helps protect the country’s borders and checks people and goods entering the United States.
- Migrant – A person who moves from one place to another for many reasons, like work, family or safety.
- Immigrant – A person who moves to another country to live there.
- Refugee – A person who had to leave their home country because it was not safe for them to stay.
- Asylum Seeker – A person who asks another country to protect them because they are afraid it is not safe to go back home. They are waiting for a decision.
And remember…. People are not “illegal’, but some may be undocumented.
What you might consider…
- Many families legally going through the immigration process in America are experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety about being targeted unfairly. This can result in behavior that may appear reserved, shy or even unfriendly.
- When English isn’t a first language, a new student may be tempted to say they understand when they don’t. Be ready for mutual understanding to take longer than you might expect.
- Never assume what language they speak, speak your language as normal and wait to hear their response. Also, even if a child has an accent while speaking English, they might still identify themselves as English being their first language, respect that way of identifying and navigating their first-generation experience.
- If you ever have a concern about another classmate because you are noticing differences in their clothes that don’t seem normal for them or they aren’t eating for example, you should not comment to them about it but tell a teacher or trusted adult about your concern.
What might you do and say…
- Keep it simple. A smile, greeting and learning how to pronounce someone’s name correctly makes such a positive difference.
- Sensing a language barrier? Get that Google Translate going. Don’t be afraid of a few awkward pauses, it will get easier. Start learning their language for free through Duolingo, Babbel, other apps or asking the student to help you.
- Invite someone to sit with you at lunch or go sit with them if they are alone.
- Kindly ask to walk with them to class and sit by them if seats aren’t assigned.
- And always think about if you were new in their country or this wasn’t your original home, how would you want to be treated and befriended. Kindness goes a very long way.
Share this information with your friends, other families, your extended family and your church. Remember to pray for your new friend and their family. Always be kind and show the love of Jesus in all you do.
Have other questions or need more resources? Contact: Elket Rodriquez, Global Migration Advocate at erodriquez@cbf.net or Ellen Sechrest, Director for Mission Engagement at esechrest@cbf.net or Jennifer Hawks, Director of Advocacy at jhawks@cbf.net