We Are American, Too

PreS-Gr 3–Mei, a young Chinese American girl, is preparing to honor her great-great-grandfather, the second American-born Chinese person in Washington, D.C., alongside her mother, father, and baby brother. As the family begins the journey to the Friendship Archway, Mei, donning her favorite dragon barrette and her great-great-grandmother’s jade necklace, asks her mother, who is wearing her special cheongsam, to tell her the story of their family. Along the familiar route that includes stops in the local tea shop and bakery that have hateful vandalism on their exteriors, Mei listens and helps tell the story, which began in 1879. They soon arrive at their destination in Chinatown, which Mei is surprised to see is filled with crowds holding signs and listening to a speaker. Mei and her mother soon take the stage and together share their family’s story, with Mei beginning a chant of, “We are American, too.” Chase flawlessly interweaves themes of resilience and bravery throughout the narrative, which is based on her family history. Chen’s illustrations capture the strength, pride, and unity of Mei’s Chinese ancestry and American identity, as well as the endless support of both her community and family. Back matter includes an author’s note and family tree.