Where did you come from?

     Almost everyone in the United States emigrated from somewhere.  The book that I chose for this blog post tells about one little boy's journey of coming to the United States, and his life settled here. The book is titled 'How I Became an American' by Karin Gundisch. It begins with Johann Bonfert giving us his background story. He tells about his family and of Romania,the place they live. He also tells of a man that passes through the village telling everyone of some place in America called Youngstown. The man stirs people up by telling them that in America there are many jobs and a better future to work towards. Soon Johann begins to notice that there are lots of men going to America to find jobs, and they often leave their families behind. Many of them promise to send money back for their families to join them in America, but not very many of them do. One day Johann comes home to find Tata, his father, gone as well. He runs to his mother and asks where his father is, and she tells him that he has gone off to America. She tells him that Tata will send money for them to join him in America when he is able.
     After a long wait Tata finally sends money for the rest of the family to join him in America. It is a long journey for Johann and his family, with lots of hardships along the way, but they finally arrive in Youngstown, Ohio. It is hard for Johann and his family to adjust to the new country but they help each other through it, and eventually feel like they are becoming real Americans.  
     Emigration is something that is taught in depth in the fifth grade. There is even a Georgia Standard to go with it, which is SS5H3d. describe the reasons people emigrated to the United States, where they emigrated, and where they settled. The book that I chose for this blog would be great to read as a class, and then discuss the reasons behind the family emigrating, where they emigrated to, and where they settled. This book is on the fifth grade level so it would be perfect to read with fifth graders over emigration. It is a historical fiction book that is very interesting, and I'm sure the students would love because it is told by a boy that is close to there age group. I hope that if you get a chance you would read this book and enjoy it just as much as I did!