I was really looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint. As a foreign language teacher, I deal with questions about immigration every year, because children seem to think I should know all the answers because I know one piece of world culture. I do my best, and talk about experiences from people and family that I know, but reading these stories from many points of view and many different cultures is so important and moving. I need to buy several copies of this book for my classroom. Each story was so moving and spoke to me in so many different ways. I really loved this book and I cannot wait to share it with my students.

Loved this collection, especially CONFESSIONS OF AN ECUADORKIAN by Zoraida Córdova that had me laughing out loud, SALVATION AND THE SEA by Lilliam Rivera which reminded me so much of the fears my students talk to me about, and he beautiful language of Nafiza Azad in ALL THE COLORS OF GOODBYE.

Fifteen different countries. Fifteen different stories. But, one common thread--the experience of being an immigrant. In the new anthology, aptly titled, Come On In, Adi Alsaid has assembled short stories that give voice to the immigrant experience. Most of the stories were first person narratives, which allowed you to connect with the character and understand their perspective, challenges, and celebrations of being an immigrant. The book begins and ends with stories about leaving one's native land to embark on a new life in a new country. "All the Colors of Goodbye" by Nafiza Azad follows the narrator's tearful final days in her native home in Fiji. While Alsaid's character Shumuli in "Fleeing, Leaving, Moving" reflects on his parents and grandparents immigrant story and how their experiences gives him hope as he immigrates to a new country. In between these two stories, Alsaid has assembled stories that cover a variety of topics that are unique to first and second generation immigrants so you don't feel like you are reading the same story over and over dressed up in new clothes. For example, "First Words" by Varsha Bajaj, gives the reader a glimpse of the challenges young immigrants have when they arrive into a new country and must adapt to a new life and a new school. That is the predicament Priya finds herself in after immigrating from India when she was in high school so that her brother Rishi, who is hearing impaired, could get a better education."The Trip" by Sona Charaipotra delves into racial profiling by TSA when the main character goes on a school trip. Acceptance of culture and family are the focus of "A Bigger Tent" by Maurene Goo and "Where I'm From" by Misa Siguira. There's the story of the frustration of losing one's native language in "Hard to Say" by Sharon Morse. The only story that seemed out of place was "When I Was White" by Justine Larbalestier. While all of the other stories are set in more modern times, this story is set in 1932 Harlem, NY. A black soldier brings his Australian bride to come live with him. She has no idea that she is white, but only that his skin is darker. She quickly learns what black and white, as she deals with his color struck mother. Perhaps the story was included to show the challenges wives of black soldiers who came from other countries had challenges adapting too when they immigrated to the U.S. But that should have been in another anthology that centered on immigration in the early 20th century. Not one that focused on late 80's to present day. Besides that misstep, I think that Come On In is a refreshing anthology because it shows immigrants are more than "illegal low-skill people", which tends to be the narrative many would like you to believe. I am a teacher and could see this book as a great text to use to expand student's knowledge about the immigrant experience.

I don't read many anthologies but this one is one that I decided to snag up and I am so glad that I did. This collection of stories was eye opening to say the least and empowering at the most. You will see the world through another eyes and be better for it. You will fail and succeed with each story and cry when it's over. This book is just over 250 pages and I could not believe the depth that each story had. I wished that this would have been close or over 500 or so pages and I would love to have these stories as fully fledged tales as well.

Wide array of stories told from the perspective of YA immigrants and the anxieties, pressures, worry and burdens they carry on top of normal teenage life. Each story is brilliant and well written.

ARC from publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

This is an excellent anthology about the immigrant experience. It would be a great addition to a school library or world history classroom.

Touching short stories that would be great discussion in a high school class or a book club. They definitely help build compassion.

This is such an important read. It’s a diverse, own voices, anthology about the different sides to being an immigrant. We get to see the good and the bad from different points of views and perspectives. I loved this a lot. I especially liked how we got a variety of different countries represented. I really hope this book reaches a wide audience and gives people a look into what it can be like to move to a difference place in search of a better life.

Come On In, an anthology of short stories compiled by Adi Alsaid, places the reader into the lives of immigrants living in or coming to the United States.

Fifteen different stories. Different countries. Americans who are called immigrants but only know America as home. People leaving family hoping for something better, knowing they'll never see their homes or families again. The variety of stories are real--they reflect the people of the world and the people of the United States. Each story, however, is about identity, about place. How does "place" help define who we are? How does "place" make people feel justified to judge?

I found each story to be beautiful in its own way, whether the message or the writing moved me, they all brought emotion. Obviously, I can't discuss fifteen stories, but I would like to share two. In "First Words," by Varsha Bajaj, Priya's family moves to the United States hoping for better help with her younger brother Rishi, who was born with a hearing impairment. Priya finds kindness in one girl, Jane, but Priya can't finds words to speak. She's afraid of being laughed at again after being laughed at the first day of school due to a vocabulary mixup. She knows home and her family; she doesn't know this place. How can she find herself in this new place? Her brother, with the disability, does well. It's his advice and Jane's encouragement that allows Priya to start finding herself in this place. I like this story because it's about words. Priya can't bring much with her, but she brings a couple of favorite books. It's the librarian hosting a book club about one of these books that allows Priya to find her first words. It's a beautiful story about knowing oneself and finding the confidence to speak from this knowledge.

The other story titled "Hard to Say" by Sharon Morse presents the opposite experience. Valentina moved from Venezuela when she was six and, even though Spanish was her first language, she remembers very little of it. Her grandparents are able to get out of Venezuela and come to the United States to live with them. Valentina has forgotten much of her Spanish and is unable to communicate with her grandparents. Her sister was older when they came to the US and has kept up with them on the phone because she speaks fluent Spanish. When the grandparents arrive, Valentina feels separated because she knows little of what is being said. It's only when grandmother bridges the gap with the language of art that they find their connection. Valentina's world had always been the US in her memories; this connection allows her to find memories from the past that help her find a beginning, a place for her in this "new" family.

It would be wrong to not mention the challenges that come with immigrating to the United States. For those who have only lived in the US or only remember the US, how does one answer, "Where are you really from?" In "Where I'm From," Eriko finds it rude that people ask this question and replies, "Minneapolis." Isn't this the essential question for every American? She truly identifies as American, which she is, but she's also Japanese. Her father gives her an interesting perspective about "we" (Americans) and their own Japanese heritage. Several stories present the lives of people living undocumented in the United States and the fears accompanying that reality. This situation is especially relevant now as ICE has amped up finding people, and the government implies many immigrants are less than human. In the end, the stories reveal the humanity of every person and the struggles of trying to find or build "home" despite fear, prejudice, and/or perceived or self-imposed expectation. The beauty of these stories allows the reader to wish the best for humanity as we all seek life and identity without judgement but with love and acceptance in this place we call the United States.

The stories in this collection were at times both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Definitely one I’ll be purchasing for my high school library and recommending to students.

This anthology of short stories thoughtfully showcases numerous young immigrant stories from around the globe. I love the range of voices and experiences in these stories, some highly lyrical with the memories of homeland and other more gritty, dealing with the pain and emotions of adapting to a new world. This is a gorgeous, much-needed glimpse at the spectrum of the young immigrant experience. I will be recommending it to young people and hope it is read by all.

Wow. This is my first Net Galley read, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book that comes out in October. This anthology belongs in several libraries, classrooms, and homes. I hope some of the stories will be discussed in ELA classes. It’s definitely great for high school, which I’m guessing is the intended audience. I’m on the fence about junior high and am eager to see where age recs fall.

This will be an eye opening read to many who do personal have an immigrant experience with the range of stories, emotions, and journeys represented. This own voices anthology provides much needed representation about the range of experiences immigrant teens may have. Ranging from poetic descriptions of leaving a loved place (All the Colors of Goodbye) to fluid timelines about being too this or not this enough (Where I’m From). The characters also have range and include one of my favorite grandparent figures ever (The Wedding) that make us feel. I was so scared and worried for high schooler Sarika who was facing TSA scrutiny and being questioned alone (The Trip).

While these accounts are fiction, they all are strongly rooted in truths.

Beautiful book! Emotional stories from immigrants about their journey and struggles. I loved the attention to detail in the stories and they were very personal. Heart wrenching.

Come On In showcases 15 stories of immigration and I am so glad that these voices are finally given a space in publishing. This anthology is a step in the right direction on inclusivity, and can further help those of us understand the struggles and triumphs of being an immigrant in the US. I hoped this anthology would not only help me learn about different people and their stories that may be different than mine, but I hoped these stories would touch my heart as well, and they did. This would be a wonderful book for a high school English class, or anyone who wants to broaden their mind and embrace the many people that make our country what it is.

Come On In tells us 15 unique, individual short stories written by immigrants. These stories tell of not only the immigrant/refugee experience but what, internally, an immigrant/refugee experiences in their shift of calling a new country home. It takes us from the joy of starting over in a safe place to the heartbreak of leaving everything you know and love behind.

These timely, descriptive, and well written short stories show the reader the struggle that many face when trying to find their identity and assimilate as a citizen in a new country. I liked how the stories came from young adult voices ... whether they came to the US as teens or toddlers,
their stories deal with their disconnect as they try to figure out who they are. Whether it’s a young adult who just arrived and is trying to reconcile her new life with her old or a naturalized teen who came to the US as a toddler and is American in every way but is still seen by others as an immigrant/foreigner based on her place of birth. We see the joy, the fear, the heartbreak, and frustration that comes with the immigrant/refugee experience.

This book pushes a non-immigrant look at immigrants beyond their journey to the US and into the psychological aspects of forming their identity in a new country, the desire to belong to two countries, and the struggle to find a balance. It also shows an immigrant/refugee that there is understanding in their process.

This is a book that is much needed and I hope it will give its readers the idea that home has an extremely personal and different meaning to everyone. And it is an excellent teaching tool for those looking to give their high school students a relatable read on immigration.

A beautiful anthology that I think is so important for current times. I wish more immigrants had a space to share their stories, as it's so important for empathy growth and understanding. This anthology will hopefully pave the way for more stories to come.

An interesting anthology.
Not being an immigrant, I have no idea what it is like to move from one country to the next. I have moved from one province to another, but nothing more than that.
These stories really touched me.
You learn to see the world through someone elses eyes.
Most of it is beautiful, but we all know there is some that is not as pleasant.
Each story is different, with different experiences, and I love that.
You learn about the person, their story, and their heritage. You also learn how they incorporate into the lives of where they go, such as America.
This is a great table top book. Most would pick it up, and not want to put it down.

I truly enjoyed Come on In. The emotion of leaving the only home, family, culture you know for a new adventure. The fear of hiding in plain sight and knowing what will happen should you get caught. These stories really pull you in, builds up emotion. Helps you see from another perspective. Maybe you moved from your home country to live somewhere else it probably brings back memories.

In the end we all want to feel like we're home no matter, country, culture, language, race, religion, how we identify ourselves. We just want to feel home. If you've never been in a situation to be around people who aren't like you, seek out these interactions but also grab a cup of nice warm tea, hot coffee, or cold if you prefer and enjoy Come on In.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to checkout this wonderful book.