New Americans

by Geoffrey C. Harrison and Thomas F. Scott

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Pub Date Jan 31 2014 | Archive Date Feb 28 2017

Norwood House Press

Children's Nonfiction | Politics

Description

America has been called a country of immigrants. Yet the country has rarely welcomed them with open arms. Newcomers have been encountering fear, suspicion, and misunderstanding for more than 200 years. "New Americans" tells the story of immigration in the United States, stopping at key moments along the way to examine the great debates that have altered the course of national policy and changed the face of a nation. Young readers will discover that the push and pull over immigration policy today is astonishingly similar to the social and political questions that have sparked controversy since the 1700s. "New Americans" engages young readers and provides them with the context and history needed to join the debate on these issues...and ultimately issues the challenge to Find Your Voice. Aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading Informational Text and Speaking and Listening. Text contains critical thinking components in regards to social issues and history.

America has been called a country of immigrants. Yet the country has rarely welcomed them with open arms. Newcomers have been encountering fear, suspicion, and misunderstanding for more than...

A Note From the Publisher

Great Debates is as an information-packed series that stimulates smart discussion with tough questions. Each book in the series aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading Informational Text and Speaking and Listening and contains critical thinking components in regards to social issues and history. Great Debates takes its name from the spirited discourse that surrounds each historical theme in the series. The narrative pauses at defining moments and "drops in" on influential Americans battling over two sides of a key issue. Readers learn how arguments are framed, and make eye-opening connections between great debates from the past and the ones that are taking place today. Text strengthens critical thinking skills with open-ended questions concerning social issues and history. Readers are invited to "find their own voice" and get involved if they find they have an interest in the issue.

Great Debates is as an information-packed series that stimulates smart discussion with tough questions. Each book in the series aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading...

Advance Praise

"This series asks readers to consider contemporary and historical debates in America, from immigration to the use of firearms to the relationship between church and state. The authors craft both sides of their arguments with care. Chapters are introduced as questions, such as "Is the freedom of others worth fighting for?" The "Affirmative" and "Negative" sides of the debate are presented in boxes at the bottom of the page. Questions set apart in bold font throughout the texts encourage critical thinking…"

School Library Journal

This series explores several major social and political controversies. Each book begins with a historical introduction and proceeds chronologically to show how issues change over time but remain political hot points. Some chapters are titled with questions to encourage readers to think and formulate opinions. Spreads in each chapter summarize major opposing arguments for and against the chapter’s question. Sidebars and a concluding chapter offer quotes from social and political leaders. Each book also includes “Find Your Voice” which encourages readers to examine the given evidence and take a side in the debate. These well-rounded, unbiased discussions encourage readers to question and reason, formulate and defend their positions, and anticipate counterarguments. The series plants important seeds for developing a new generation of educated voters and activists and will be a welcome addition for libraries and social science classrooms striving to integrate Common Core Standards. Glossary. [Editor’s Note: A teacher’s guide is available on the publisher’s website.] Recommended.

Library Media Connection

"This series asks readers to consider contemporary and historical debates in America, from immigration to the use of firearms to the relationship between church and state. The authors craft both...

Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9781603576055
PRICE	$9.95 (USD)

Additional Information

Average rating from 7 members

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Featured Reviews

Emily H, Librarian

“New Americans” had great historical information and is even more relevant with current events. It would be a great nonfiction title for schools to have.

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Laura T, Reviewer

Timely book, though it was published in 2014, about the immigration issue that has been around since the founding of America. The book looks at each wave of immigrants, and discusses how the US, at the time, dealt with them, and thought of them. Spoiler alert, each old group looked down on each new group. Sheesh.

Good arguments given for each time period. Well written discussions, and well documented stories of each wave.

Highly recommend for school and libraries. Heck, we should really all read this.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

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Elizabeth T, Reviewer

As a family who lives in a multi-cultural neighborhood, the recent election and it's wide spread immigration comments have been a topic of discussion for our household over the last year. As our children are home schooled, they have not had the opportunity to encounter racism very frequently, and their friends are diverse. However, it has raised many questions as they watched the news and this was a perfect tool to help answer so many of them.

This was also a perfect tool for my homeschooling family. It was a perfect fit for my sixth grader, yet it was easy enough to understand that my first grader took an active part in the lesson and the following discussion. It did not put an over emphasis on either side of the debate, yet stated clear facts and history to back up each side. It also gave points and counter points to each side, which has led to many reoccurring discussions. It used quotes from recognizable people to show emphasis to each side, quotes that we were able to discuss, and explore the motivations behind their opinions. It also was a wonderful tool for the teaching of how to conduct a civil debate, and that each side needs a level of respect if anything is to be changed, or listened too.

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Samantha B, Reviewer

This is a history book for young readers, I'm thinking 8-13 content wise, maybe up to 10-13 reading level wise.

It is a pretty good overview of immigration in America, dating back to before even Columbus, through colonization and into modern day. The pictures and layout are clean and eye catching. And the book does its best to present both sides of the dispute equally and easily for young readers. I like that legislation throughout American history and the social consequences of it are touched upon.

I gave it four stars because it does what it set out to do nicely. But, since I'm in APUSH, it was not particularly enjoyable. I'd recommend it to a 5th grade classroom, but not for anyone looking for nonfiction to read.