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I Was Their American Dream
I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir | Malaka Gharib
17 posts | 24 read | 15 to read
A triumphant tale of self-discovery, a celebration of a family's rich heritage, and a love letter to American immigrant freedom. I Was Their American Dream is at once a journal of growing up and a reminder of the thousands of immigrants who come to America in search for a better life for themselves and their children. The daughter of parents with unfulfilled dreams themselves, Malaka navigated 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 skater boys, and trying to understand the tension between holding onto cultural values and trying to be an all-American kid. In a graphic novel format, Malaka Gharib's illustrations bring to life her teenage antics and illuminate earnest questions about identity and culture, while providing thoughtful insight into the lives of modern immigrants and the generation of millennial children they raised. 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 American immigrants who have invested their future in the promise of the American dream.
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Caryl
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After reading the author‘s most recent graphic novel/memoir, It Won‘t Always Be Like This, I realized I had her previous title on my bookshelf. This one has a lighter touch, but is just as affecting. I loved them both!

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behudd
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⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This was a good, quick read, and I especially enjoyed what I learned about Filipino culture. It lacked some depth that I was looking for, essentially reading as if someone asked Gharib “what was it like to grow up first generation American with Filipino-Egyptian heritage?” and here‘s her answer.
I‘m sure many children of multiple cultures would strongly relate, and I‘d certainly read more from Gharib in the future.

26 likes1 stack add
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Madelpadel
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Read this at my campsite this week- and smiled to myself when I realized my fruit matched the book!

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Kenyazero
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Malaka‘s graphic memoir is a treat to read. I love the format, and the creative use of cute-out activity pages. She discusses her Egyptian-Filipino family, her parents‘ experiences, and her experience growing up the American daughter of immigrants from two different parts of the world. She also discusses micro aggressions, and micro aggressions she herself has committed. #Memoir #Comic #Nonfiction #GraphicMemoir #MixedRaceFamily #FirstGenAmerican

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Christine
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I loved this very much. I signed up to read it for my college book committee‘s nomination process. The art style didn‘t grab me at first but grew on me quickly, and I deeply appreciate the way she told her story of growing up Filipino/Egyptian American in SoCal. It‘s funny and sweet and a truly great analysis of the American Dream, identity, and more.

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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A graphic memoir about coming of age in America when Malaka is trying to find where she belongs and how to honor all of her cultures. Cute illustrations too!

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megnews
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A fun graphic memoir about being American and embracing your roots, both in your own way.

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Professional_Book_Dragon
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Read this on my car ride to Chicago. Really enjoyed it!

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WellReadCatLady
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Read with my coffee this morning, great story and artwork!

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MaggieCarr
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2020 Read Harder Challenge : Read A Graphic Memoir

Isn't it funny that we want to be noticed for our culture and diversity but cringe when the wrong tone of voice is used when labels are put on us? This was an interesting walk in someone else's shoes as Malaka comes of age as an Filipino- Egyptian-American in the US.

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charl08
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Yikes!

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Nitpickyabouttrains
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A graphic novel about finding your place, culture, and immigrant parents.

27 likes2 stack adds
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trueisa4letterword
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One nice thing about people my age becoming memorists is gems like this

#graphicmemoir #late80sbabies #mychildhood

trueisa4letterword Currently reading three like this 4y
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LiteraryinLawrence
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A fast read! I enjoy graphic novels about people‘s cultures and backgrounds, and this was no exception. This one focused on Malaka‘s Filipino and Egyptian heritage and her experience growing up in California. The illustrations were vibrant and the main character was exuberant and quirky.

Does anyone have suggestions of other graphic novels with a focus on the author‘s culture?

See All 6 Comments
LiteraryinLawrence @JanuarieTimewalker13 @BekaReid @NeedsMoreBooks Thanks for these great suggestions! I‘m putting them on hold at the library. 😋 4y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Yayyy!!! My library had all of these (or secured them via ILL) except volume 4 of The Arab Of the Future. I‘m waiting patiently to see if they will buy it. GNs are expensive! (edited) 4y
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CraftyBookNerd1
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I really liked learning about Malaka‘s childhood, her understanding of family cultures, and her overall realization of being her parents‘ American Dream. A very good graphic memoir that I‘m happy to have read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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MarriedtoMrT
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On how she tried to make her mom‘s life easier.

How do I get my kids to do this for me?!

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NeamhainHughes
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Picked this up at the library today. A short read, but also very real and honest.

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