Sylvia Garcia
English
112B
Doctor
Warner
May
9, 2007
Annotated Bibliography: Immigration and Injustice
Non-fiction,
though not the most entertaining of literary styles, is very much a part of who
we are. We read it in �newspapers,
magazines, on the internet, or on a cereal box�.[1] It offers insight into the unknown; allows us to grasp the
pain, hunger, love, and joy in others�making us more human.
I
based this annotated bibliography on a subject matter that I feel strongly connected
to, immigration and injustice. The
main focus of this collection is what immigrants feel on a daily basis: pain,
fear, loneliness, inadequacy, hopelessness, and frustration. In order to present these feelings in
their rawest honesty, I chose to incorporate several memoirs because they are
the most accurate. There is no
better person to tell a story than he/she who experienced it. �One aspect of personal experience
books that makes them attractive to young readers is that they are by people
looking back on experiences they had when they were young�.[2]
Babel. Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Perf. Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael
Garcia Bernal, and Rinko Kikuchi.
2006. DVD. Paramount Vintage, 2006.
Pain is universal� but
so is hope. A tragic accident in
Morocco sets off a chain f events that will link four groups of people who,
divided by cultural differences and vast distances, will discover a shared
destiny that ultimately connects them.
-
Babel DVD back cover.
This moving touches on
connections. We are all
connected. Focusing on our
similarities, rather than differences will begin the process of stopping the
hate and beginning the healing.
De Nadie: Border
Crossing. Dir. Tin
Dirdamal. 2006. DVD. Amigo Films, 2006.
This is a moving
documentary that follows several people through their illegal journey to
America. It depicts the strife and
inhumane obstacles of the border crossing.
This documentary is
very graphic and heart wrenching.
The benefit of viewing this film is that it makes you aware. Awareness is the beginning of healing.
Alvarez, Julia. How the Garcia Girls Lost their
Accents. Chicago: Plume, 1992.
This sensitive story of
four sisters who must adjust to life in America after having to flee from the
Dominican Republic is told through a series of episodes beginning in adulthood,
when their lives have been shaped by U. S. mores, and moving backwards to their
wealthy childhood on the island. Adapting to American life is difficult and
causes embarrassment when friends meet their parents, anger as they are bullied
and called "spics," and identity confusion following summer trips to
the family compound in the Dominican Republic. These interconnected vignettes
of family life, resilience, and love are skillfully intertwined and offer young
adults a perspective on immigration and families as well as a look at America
through Hispanic eyes. This unique coming-of-age tale is a feast of stories
that will enchant and captivate readers.
- Pam Spencer, Thomas Jefferson Sci-Tech, Fairfax County, VA
This book is great for
teens who have felt alienated or confused about their identities. The events that take place in these
sisters lives have definitely rang true for me. I too struggled with similar conflicts within during my teen
years. This book would have been
refreshing for me during those trying times.
Bat-Ami, Miriam. Two Suns in the Sky. USA: Penguin Publishers, 2001.
During World War II, a
15-year-old girl meets a young Jewish refugee in a New York shelter and soon
learns the history behind her city through interaction with her new friend, as
well as the barriers that exist when different cultures unite.
Two Suns in the Sky is a great book that speaks
of the lasting rewards of friendship.
It demonstrates that people do not build bonds based on ethnicities,
wealth, or cultures; but rather with love. It is a worthwhile book.
Beatty, Patricia. Lupita Manana. Canada: HarperCollins, 2000.
After her father is
killed in a fishing accident in the seas near their small Mexican village,
Lupita's mother makes a difficult decision. Lupita and her big brother,
Salvador, must try to cross the border into America to earn money to support
their young brothers and sisters. America turns out not to be the land of
opportunity they had hoped.
<www.amazon.com>
This book is quite
moving with its serious content.
It demonstrates the harsh reality that death, poverty, immigration, and
survival do not discriminate; anyone is susceptible to their torments. Lupita�s resilience is powerful.
Buss, Fran. L. Journey of the Sparrows. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Book, 1991.
This is a story of
hardships, hopes, and perseverance. The Acosta family is trying to escape the
endless fear and terror existing in their homeland, El Salvador. Maria narrates
this story. She brilliantly depicts many aspects of her newfound life: the
language barrier, the menial jobs, the hunger and the endless pursuit of food,
the fear of deportation, and her frequent questioning of her own religious
conviction. She also lovingly describes new and caring friendships and her
family�s closeness and support.
-
Linda Reinert, <www.powells.com>
Journey of the
Sparrows is
refreshingly honest. It depicts
the struggles that all teens relate to.
This book is a good read because it minimizes the differences that are
believed to exist amongst cultures.
Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage, 1991.
The story follows a
young girl, Esperanza, through her journey to find a place for herself. Esperanza endures a difficult childhood
filled with poverty and limitations, only to grow up and discover that things
are just as difficult for adults.
She dedicates her life�s efforts to try and abandon her past and all its
hardships in pursuit of success. With time she comes to realize that her identity, strength,
and happiness comes from within; and the house on Mango Street is a part of
her.
This book is a
beneficial read becomes it inspires perseverance and hope. Esperanza�s unwillingness to conform
and accept her harsh life conditions is the overall theme of these short
vignettes. It is also a great
example of the free verse because its vignettes are well-written.
Jimenez, Francisco. The Circuit. USA: University of New Mexico Press, 1997.
This is a collection of
short stories based on the life of the author, Francisco Jimenez, while he was
growing up as the son of migrant farm workers in California. The story is
historical fiction, set in the 1940�s and details the travels of this Mexican family
from Guadalajara, Mexico to the central California valleys where the abundant
crops offer a livelihood to those people willing to travel to pick whatever
crop is in season. Throughout the
book, the author�s school experiences are emphasized and his limitations with
the English language are painfully real. Many of his teachers become important
role models in his life due to their caring. His despair at having to leave
school for every move seems to give him the impetus to continue his education
and eventually write his life story.
-
Bonny Cassutt, <www.cedu.niu.edu>
The father is so
realistic with his typical �never-give-up� attitude. The ending is so heartbreaking. This is a great book for young adults because the story does
not have a happy ending. This is
important because there are not many happy endings for immigrants.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. �First Crossing.� First Crossing: Stories about Teen Immigrants. Ed. Donald R. Gallo. New York: Candlewick, 2007.
First Crossing is the story of a young boy
from Jocotepec, Jalisco who crosses over to the US with his father. The short story emphasizes on the fears
and inhumane conditions of the crossing.
This book is
particularly memorable because it is the echo of so many accounts of crossing
over from Mexico that I have heard.
First Crossing is unique because of its attention to detail and sentiment. It truly touched me.
Santiago, Esmeralda. When I was Puerto Rican. USA: Vintage, 1994.
When I was Puerto
Rican is a
memoir of Esmeralda Santiago�s unstable childhood in Puerto Rico. Esmeralda experienced extreme poverty
and the problems that come along with it.
Through her words, Esmeralda is able to make Puerto Rico come along with
her beautiful depictions and vivid descriptions.
This is a book full of description and rhythm. It is not necessarily a great read for those who are seeking insight into the struggles that surround immigrants in their daily lives. The title is intriguing, but not a good prelude to the content.