I WAS THEIR AMERICAN DREAM

One part Am I There Yet?, one part Persepolis, I WAS THEIR AMERICAN DREAM is a triumphant tale of self-discovery, a celebration of a family's rich heritage, and a love letter to the immigrant experience, regardless of location.

Malaka Gharib's illustrations, infused with teenage antics and earnest questions about identity and culture, provide thoughtful insight into the lives of modern immigrants and the generation of millennial children they raised. If you can look past the title and cover of this book (which could obviously be changed for a licensed edition), I think you'll find that Malaka's story carries a powerful message that will resonate with an audience beyond just Americans.

Malaka's upbringing will look familiar to anyone who grew up in the pre-internet era, but her particular story is a heartfelt tribute to the immigrants who have invested their future in the promise of a better future. The daughter of parents with unfulfilled dreams themselves, Malaka navigates her childhood chasing her parents' ideals, learning to code-switch between her family's Filipino and Egyptian customs, adapting to white culture to fit in, crushing on boys, and trying to understand the tension between holding onto cultural values and trying to fit in with her peers.

I WAS THEIR AMERICAN DREAM is at once a journal of growing up and a reminder of all immigrants who journey to a new land in search for a better life for themselves and their children. As global rates of immigration continue to rise, stories like hers are important to hear for both representation and understanding.


MALAKA GHARIB is an artist, journalist, and writer based in Washington, D.C. She is the founder of The Runcible Spoon, a food zine, and the co-founder of the D.C. Art Book Fair.