This book is a celebration of 36 men and women who have made a difference. For most students it will be a mirror into the lives of people whose life experiences have been different from theirs. All 36 people featured in this book are first generation—the first members of a family to immigrate to a new country. They created meaningful and impactful lives while facing discrimination. This is a book of inspiration, one biographical sketch at a time. Each "chapter" features a full-page illustration of the character. Each biographical page is headed by an inspirational quote, followed by a page of interesting information. There is also a text box on each page with a couple of human-interest facts. There are a few names students will recognize, such as Albert Einstein and Nikola Tesla. Other names offer intriguing insights into the people behind such things as Chobani Yogurt and the world’s most generous athlete.
Don’t forget to have students explore the back matter to learn the inspiration behind the book, a note from the illustrator, tips for being trailblazers, and ways to learn more information about immigrants and refugees.
About the Authors and the Illustrator
The Wallaces are investigative journalists. Mrs. Wallace was a former news anchor and ESPN sportscaster. She herself is the daughter of immigrants and only became a citizen in 2016. If students have ever read Highlights for Children they might be interested to know that Mr. Wallace was an editor for this kid magazine.
The illustrator, Agata Nowicka, is also a comics artist. When she was a kid she would draw on everything, including using her mother’s bright red lipstick to illustrate the staircase walls of her home. Why did she decide to become an illustrator? Because she never wanted to stop drawing. Like the authors, she is also an immigrant.
Pathways: Yesterday
Author: Deborah Hopkinson (DeborahHopkinson.com)
Illustrator: Kristy Caldwell (KristyCaldwell.com)
