Dear America Young Readers Edition, Jose Antonio Vargas
Dear America Young Readers Edition, Jose Antonio Vargas
List: $15.99 | Sale: $11.20
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Dear America: Young Readers' Edition
The Story of an Undocumented Citizen

Author: Jose Antonio Vargas

Narrator: Jose Antonio Vargas

Unabridged: 3 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 03/05/2019


Synopsis

In this young readers’ adaptation of his adult memoir Dear America, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and undocumented immigrant Jose Antonio Vargas tells his story, in light of the 12 million undocumented immigrants currently in the United States.

Jose Antonio Vargas was only twelve years old when he was brought to the United States from the Philippines to live with his grandparents. He didn’t know it, but he was sent to the U.S. illegally.When he applied for a learner’s permit, he learned the truth, and he spent the next almost twenty years keeping his immigration status a secret. Hiding in plain sight, he was writing for some of the most prestigious news organizations in the country. Only after publicly admitting his undocumented status—risking his career and personal safety—was Vargas able to live his truth.This book asks questions including, How do you define who is an American? How do we decide who gets to be a citizen? What happens to those who enter the U.S. without documentation?By telling his personal story and presenting facts without easy answers, Jose Antonio Vargas sheds light on an issue that couldn’t be more relevant.

About Jose Antonio Vargas

Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer. His work has appeared internationally in Time magazine, as well as in the San Francisco Chronicle, The New Yorker, and the Washington Post. In 2014, he received the Freedom to Write Award from PEN Center USA. A leading voice for the human rights of immigrants, he founded the non-profit media and culture organization Define American, named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company. An elementary school named after him will open in his hometown of Mountain View, California in 2019. 


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mariah Roze on March 16, 2021

This book shows why we should not judge illegal immigrants, especially the children that were forced to come by their parents. "Jose Antonio Vargas was only twelve years old when he was brought to the United States from the Philippines to live with his grandparents. He didn’t know it, but he was sen......more

Goodreads review by Laura on October 11, 2020

Tender, moving, and important. The writing is simple and honest... and will shake you to your core. A must-read for tweens of all backgrounds. I think it would also be a great book for adult ESL students, or as a family read-aloud. This young readers' version is accessible, engaging, and important f......more

Goodreads review by Bookfeen on March 25, 2025

Informative read, especially under our current administration. I wish more would take the time to read and understand different perspectives. Read this one for a school challenge with my 8 year old. The topic may be heavy for this age group, depending on your child. It gave us the opportunity to talk......more

Goodreads review by Laura on July 30, 2020

5⭐️ Dear America: The story of an undocumented citizen by @joseiswriting belongs in every elementary and middle school library. . . . This book is so rich for discussions on race and what it means to be an American. Book 22 for #30booksummer . . . "Because I am not a citizen by law or by birth, I've had to......more

Goodreads review by Christine on March 15, 2019

The topic is on the news almost every day: illegal immigrants. Why are they here and what should we do about them? The current administration in DC makes it sound like these people are our enemies and we should do everything in our power to get them out of our country. I just finished reading a very......more