SKU: 85539578050

I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir

Sale price$13.00 Regular price$14.44
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 10 - Jul 15

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir"A portrait of growing up in America, and a portrait of family, that pulls off the feat of being both intimately specific and deeply universal at the same time. I adored this book." Jonny Sun " A] high spirited graphical memoir . . . Gharib's wisdom about the power and limits of racial identity is evident in the way she draws." NPR WINNER OF THE ARAB AMERICAN BOOK AWARD NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR The New York Public Library Kirkus

"A portrait of growing up in America, and a portrait of family, that pulls off the feat of being both intimately specific and deeply universal at the same time. I adored this book."--Jonny Sun

" A] high-spirited graphical memoir . . . Gharib's wisdom about the power and limits of racial identity is evident in the way she draws."--NPR

WINNER OF THE ARAB AMERICAN BOOK AWARD - NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR - The New York Public Library - Kirkus Reviews

I Was Their American Dream is at once a coming-of-age story 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.

Malaka Gharib's triumphant graphic memoir brings to life her teenage antics and illuminates 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 story is a heartfelt tribute to the American immigrants who have invested their future in the promise of the American dream.

Praise for I Was Their American Dream

"In this time when immigration is such a hot topic, Malaka Gharib puts an engaging human face on the issue. . . . The push and pull first-generation kids feel is portrayed with humor and love, especially humor. . . . Gharib pokes fun at all of the cultures she lives in, able to see each of them with an outsider's wry eye, while appreciating them with an insider's close experience. . . . The question of 'What are you?' has never been answered with so much charm."--Marissa Moss, New York Journal of Books

"Forthright and funny, Gharib fiercely claims her own American dream."--Booklist

"Thoughtful and relatable, this touching account should be shared across generations."- Library Journal

"This charming graphic memoir riffs on the joys and challenges of developing a unique ethnic identity."- Publishers Weekly

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Clarkson Potter Publishers
Published: 04/30/2019
ISBN: 9780525575115
Pages: 160
Weight: 0.86lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.70d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2019 pg. 148
Publishers Weekly 02/25/2019
Booklist 03/15/2019 pg. 55
Shelf Awareness 04/30/2019
School Library Journal 06/14/2019 pg. 1
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 85539578050

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.8 ★★★★★
Based on 588 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
T
Verified Purchase
Tiny
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Nice suit but runs way too big
Size: Medium, Color: Blue-2 Pieces, Size: Medium, Color: Blue-2 Pieces
Medium fit like an extra large had to get tailored for my husband for our wedding kind of an inconvenience other than that it was a very nice suit and it looked great!!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2025
K
Verified Purchase
Kam
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great prom suit
Size: X-Small, Color: Royal Blue-3pieces
The quality is awesome. Just needed a few alterations and my done is set for the prom
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Serina Anthony
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Fun alternative to traditional tuxedo
Size: Large, Color: Black-2 Pieces, Size: Large, Color: Black-2 Pieces
Fairly good quality. Hubby wore this as fun alternative to his regular tux in a cruise elegant night. Looked sharp and we even got family pictures in it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2025
O
Verified Purchase
Octavia Ward
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for price ⭐
Size: Small, Color: Blue-2 Pieces, Size: Small, Color: Blue-2 Pieces
Bought this for my son's junior prom and it looked so good on him. I had to get a few alterations done because it was a bit too big for him but all in all great quality for the price.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2025
J
Verified Purchase
Joel S.
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent Suit for the Money. Great, rich details.
Size: X-Large, Color: Black
This is a stunning piece of clothing. The material for the vests and pants are so luxurious and make it look like you spent a lot of money. Great versatility and thick material of great quality. The material is made of a rich fabric that feels subtle and gentle, but with the patterns showing well. It fits well and allows for movement. Whether you are looking for a wedding suit, or something to wear to a gala or bow-tie event, this is it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2026

recommand products