Ellis Island: Immigration And The American Dream by Felipe Gaindo Feggo and Tait Howard (2025)

My daughter’s elementary school is in its second year implementing a new science of reading curriculum and it has been a joy to see the rigorous science and social studies concepts embedded in their studies. They closed out the year learning about the history of immigration in America – how timely given all that is happening in the United States and beyond. At home, my second grader and I read this new graphic novel: Ellis Island: Immigration and the American Dream. This book sparked so many interesting conversations between us. 

The story starts with a mom, who works for the National Park Service at Ellis Island, and a son taking shelter from Hurricane Sandy (2012) in their NYC apartment. As the flooding around their apartment gets worse, they leave their 1st floor place and head upstairs to take shelter with their neighbors. With the power out, the neighbors share stories by candlelight. Arnie, the mom, shares stories about her work at Ellis Island. The stories turn into history lessons, which then turn into sharing of personal family immigration stories. 

Heart: Stories are the pathway to building more connected communities. We need to share more immigration stories in this time of history. 

Head: Reading and talking about complex issues, like immigration must begin at a young age. I recently subscribed to The Week: Junior and my daughter (2nd grade) and I have already started talking about the news together. I HIGHLY encourage parents to start having conversations with their children about current events. If you have any great news sources for kids, please share them with me!