Finding Home: The Journey of Immigrants and Refugees (Orca Think #1)

In this nonfiction series starter, Lee examines the “push and pull factors” that compel people to leave one home and create another. Employing first-person narration, Lee, the child of Chinese emigrants to Vancouver, imbues the book with a personal tone, interspersing historical and contemporary analysis of human migration with profiles of immigrants and refugees from around the world. Lee provides clear definitions for terms such as migrant, decolonization, and human trafficking, revealing how colonialism created the conditions for mass global population transfers, both forced and voluntary. Spotlighting Chinese railroad workers in North America, Lee shows how immigration policies have been constructed according to both labor needs and racial hierarchies. Interviewees include young people, teachers, activists, and more; Danny Ramadan, who served time in prison for creating a center for LGTBQ people in Damascus and sought refuge in Canada, is a particular standout (“Each refugee is an individual.... There are so many beautiful stories to learn”). Shannon contributes illustrations evoking vintage art in a 1950s-esque color palette, while full-color photographs and informative sidebars throughout bolster the text. An accessible yet comprehensive introduction to immigration. Back matter includes a glossary and resources. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)