How Did We Get Here?: Exploring the Ancestry of Eastside Residents (The Eastside Extra)
Written by Anita Storey
Illustrated by Nathalie Ortega
Published by Jolly Fish Press
Sixth graders Anika Veerkar, Benicio “Benny” Flores, and Libby Abrams constantly study their surroundings, hoping to find the next feature story for their online neighborhood newsletter. But they’ve never turned their inquisitive gazes on themselves before.
A chance question about Libby’s door decoration leads the friends to realize they’re all from immigrant families. This discovery prompts their next big questions: Where are our families from? Why and how did they come to the United States? As the friends learn their families’ histories and deal with upsetting news about Anika’s stay in the country, they vow to cherish what brings them together.
Anika, Benny, and Libby are neighborhood friends—and known to be relentlessly curious. They’re always asking questions, and their interest in sharing the answers has led them to start an online newsletter. Encouraged by their parents, they venture out into the community to investigate the most engaging stories.
For even more adventures with The Eastside Extra, explore:
- Why Is Our Lake Off-Limits?: Inside Eastside’s Polluted History (The Eastside Extra)
- Public Funding, Public Decisions: How Eastside Schools Spend Their Money (The Eastside Extra)
- Still Serving: The Inside Scoop on One Veteran’s Life (The Eastside Extra)
Primary ISBN: 9781631636424
Publication Date: September 2022
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Chapter Book, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Cuban/Cuban American, Indian/Indian American
Themes: Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Generation: 2nd, Identity: Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Religious Background: Jewish, Welcoming by Community
Setting: Unspecified
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant, 1st Generation, 2nd Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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