The Colors of Freedom (Social Studies, Cultures and People)
Grade 4-8-A veritable "mixing bowl" of immigration material, this book contains not only the stories of newly arrived teens, but also short sketches by those whose families have been here for generations. There are traditional recipes, an immigration survey, a sample citizenship test, and student essays on "What It Means to Be an American." The interviews and stories are grouped geographically with chapters on the "Americas and the Caribbean Nations," "Mexico," "Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa," and "Asia and the Subcontinent." Each chapter begins with a few shorter pieces followed by "A Longer Look." These latter pieces can be quite absorbing, describing customs in the homeland, the journey to the United States, and experiences here. However, the hodgepodge of material presented, combined with the drab format, makes it difficult to navigate the text. Maps and student drawings are scattered throughout, along with some generally dull, fuzzy black-and-white photographs in "A Family Album of Those Who Helped." Chapter and section headings are printed on what appears to be torn, gray paper, resulting in an unattractive layout; thus, the book will appeal mainly to teachers, who may like its variety. Otherwise, lengthy, compelling interviews by teens themselves can be found in Marina Budhos's Remix (Holt, 1999) and in Yale Strom's attractive Quilted Landscapes (S & S, 1996).Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VACopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.