Marion Hess Pomeranc

In her first children's book, Pomeranc carefully tailors to her young audience a post-Holocaust tale that ends happily for a Jewish boy and his family. Launching the story after the war has ended, the author avoids the horrifying details of the Holocaust, instead noting more generally that after the Solomons left their home in Germany they had "fled from village to village, living in forests and on farms, always seeking safety, food and shelter but finding danger and destruction instead." Now they are living in a one-room apartment in an unnamed location, waiting for their chance to board a "Liberty ship" that will take them to New York. A wooden rocking horse left behind by an American-bound child helps David pass the time and gives him hope that his turn to begin a new life will eventually arrive. Yardley's (The Bracelet) spare, pastel-hued watercolor and pen-and-ink art favors sunny depictions of David and his surroundings, reinforcing the reassuring, upbeat messages of the narrative.… (plus d'informations)

"The American Wei" is about an immigrant family from China who are finally becoming U.S. citizens. The youngest son, Wei is so excited for this big day. On his way to the court house, he trips and loses his first tooth. Wei does not know where his tooth is! People from all over the world help him and his parents find the tooth. Once they find it, they all go inside the court house and take the oath to be an American citizen. I liked reading this book because the story is through the eyes of a child. I would use this book with a social studies lesson about citizenship.… (plus d'informations)

The American Wei is a charming story of diversity and togetherness. Wei Fong is excited for two reasons: he has a very loose tooth and it’s the day he and his family are to be naturalized. Upon arrival to the courthouse, Wei loses his tooth and cannot find it. People from all different countries and cultures, who are also getting naturalized, rally together and help him find his tooth. After officially becoming American citizens, Wei and his family celebrate with dim sum and hotdogs.
I think this is a great book when introducing the topic of immigration and naturalization. Pomeranc takes a sophisticated subject and delivers it in a light and entertaining manner that would hold any child’s attention.
Although the book has a lot to do with the missing tooth, I believe the coming together of different immigrants was the main focus. It portrays the diversity of the United States by exhibiting the different cultures that help make America the great melting pot that it is.… (plus d'informations)

The American Wei tells the story about a Chinese family becoming American citizens. The story takes place on the day they are sworn in. Wei is excited to be becoming an American citizen and he hopes he will lose his tooth and get a visit from the tooth fairy for the first time. Wei loses his tooth, but he doesn't know where it went outside the federal courthouse. Everyone outside of the courthouse helps Wei to find his tooth since he is so devastated. They are from all over the world and are at the courthouse to become citizens too. A woman finds the tooth just in time for the ceremony to begin. Everyone is sworn in and are all proud of their new citizenship and friendship. That night Wei gets his first visit from the tooth fairy. Wei's desire to lose his tooth after he is an official citizen is what causes everyone to come together. He really wants the tooth fairy to visit him and experience what other American kids do. I think everyone from all different cultures coming together for the same cause is a perfect symbol of America. The US is filled with so many different cultures, yet they all blend together to form one nation.… (plus d'informations)