Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States

K-Gr 4–Poignant text marries nuanced illustration to gracefully introduce young readers to immigration, naturalization, and citizenship. The text begins, “some of us are born American. Some choose,” a fitting opening for a book that highlights the beauty of diversity. Two illustrations cleverly juxtapose those who are born in the U.S. with those who choose citizenship by being nearly interchangeable: each group boasts soft shades of red, white and blue, subtly evoking the American flag, and both are filled with people of all ages, skin, and hair colors. Every subsequent page balances white space, a gentle palette, and clear, simple text to highlight first the myriad reasons that people might leave their families behind or undergo a dangerous journey, and then to point out the many gifts they bring: “we bring with us our languages, our cuisines, our customs, clothing, music, stories, histories. We bring hard work and determination, intelligence and skill, optimism, joy.” American symbols and the repetition of red, white, and blue underscore that immigrants take an oath “to the ideals of the United States: freedom, justice, peace, equality.” An author’s note, explanation of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and a brief bibliography complete the picture.