Hannah Is My Name

by Belle Yang

Book Overview

With Chinese-influenced paintings in jewel-like colors, Belle Yang tells an immigration tale that reflects one of the many facets of the American dream. Hannah is my name in this new country. It doesn't sound at all like my Chinese name, Na-Li, which means beautiful. It's a long way from Taiwan to San Francisco, but Hannah's family has made the journey because they want to make America their home. Here in America, Baba tells his daughter, people are...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763622230
• ISBN13: 9780763622237
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.9" x 10.8"
• Age Range: 5 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 4

Customer Reviews

A must for every classroom

Hannah is My NameBased on author's first year as an immigrant from Taiwan, Hannah Is My Name captures the emotions of a little girl adjusting to a new life. The narrative and illustrations show how much she missed her old school, friends, and customs but felt privileged to be in America. Na Li's family wants to make her fit in by giving her an "American sounding name. They choose Hannah because it is spelled the same backward and they think it will be easy for her because she doesn't know English yet. The illustrations in this book are charming and have an Asian influence and the story is told from the voice of a child. "This book celebrates our shared history of hope by telling the story of a little girl who is waiting for her green card". The book discusses the family looking for an apartment, her family filling out forms with an immigration lawyer, her father hiding from immigration, Hannah's best friend at school being deported, and the arrival of the green cards and her reaction to the blue color of the document her family has been waiting for. This book is an essential for any early childhood classroom and it would be appropriate for upper-grades as well because it discusses the process that the family takes to be free in America and it explains in detail the feelings Hanna has as a new immigrant. Everybody whether they are recent immigrants or celebrating diversity will enjoy this little girl's quest for equal opportunity.

An American story

The first thing you'll notice about this book is the artwork. Like "Always Come Home to Me" the colors and lines seem to float over the pages; it's that vivid. They brightened my daughter's eyes as we turn page after page never stopping until we've reached the end. The story itself is an honest one. Hannah is a cute little girl from Taiwan who with her two parents tries to assimilate to the US -- not unlike the many immigrants before her. I won't spoil the story but I will say I am thoroughly pleased this story is told and I feel my daughter will be better for it. I can't recommend this wonderful book enough. Get it and you'll treasure this book for years to come.

Appreciation for what I have as a citizen born into the American society.

Very insightful story of the author and her family as they entered into the American society. It was about their struggles to get their green card so they didn't have to hide, but could walk around in the open without fear.A very heart warming story for children and adults.

Hannah Is My Name

Not only is this book brightly illustrated depicting the action, but the story is captivating, suspenseful. Those children who have immigrated to the US will relive their history and all other children will be given a vivid insight to how it is to be a foreigner in this land. I highly recommend this book to school librarians and to parents who want their children to empathize with immigrant children. Furthermore, it's a story that helps us all appreciate how fortunate we are to live in this country even with its imperfections. The setting in San Francisco is an additional plus.

A Family's American Arrival

In this evocative children's tale of a Chinese family's arrival in California, Belle Yang traces her own roots. The Yangs came to this country from Taiwan when she was a young girl. As the author and creator of the the luscious color illustrations, the author has done a marvelous job of combining image and language. The story, set in San Francisco, conveys the pervasive uncertainty that colors the immigrant experience yet ultimately gives readers a story of triumph, as Hannah and her parents make their way in purusit of the American Dream. This is a children's story that is perfect for the whole family. Its message has never been more timely, nor more universal.