We Are America by Walter Dean M

We Are America review by Sarah Bartholomew

 1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Myers, Walter Dean. We Are America. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2011.

ISBN 9780060523084

2. PLOT SUMMARY

We Are America takes readers on a journey through American History. The book starts with the Indigenous people that inhabited the land now known as the United States. It continued on through the colonization of the land, the eventual revolution that led to the establishment of The United States as a free and independent nation, the development of the nation as people from around the world immigrated to the states seeking freedom and liberty, and further freedom was sought during the Civil War, and advancements were made during the Industrial Revolution. The United States of America is not a country without faults, but the freedom and democracy it offers is a promise of a better life. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book does a wonderful job of highlighting all that is good about The United States while still acknowledging some of the darker parts of the country’s history. Unfortunately, most of the references to America’s faults were merely depicted in the illustrations and were not openly addressed. They referenced slavery and the Japanese internment camps but failed to talk about the racial prejudice shown to Indigenous people, Black, Asians, Irish, and Eastern Europeans. To accurately discuss America, the good and the bad must be talked about. This book romanticized the idea of America. The poems from differing viewpoints from the different parts of American history were a great artistic choice. It helped to better create the idea of America as a “melting pot.” There was no rhyme or clear rhythm. However, it was evident that the words selected were done to evoke strong emotions of patriotism and pride. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From Publishers Weekly: “homage to the entire United States in a soul-searching, free-verse poem examining the people, ideals, and promise of America”

From Kirkus Reviews: “A mural rendered in pastels spans both pages. Homage is paid to young people; Native Americans; immigrants from Europe, Africa, and Asia; laborers, protesters, soldiers, and performers.”

From New York Times: “An inclusive, unblinkered variation of patriotism.”

From School Library Journal: “diverse assembly of famous figures depicted in concluding montages”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other works by Walter Dean Myers

Harlem Summer ISBN ‎9780439368438

Jazz ISBN 9780823421732

            Here in Harlem ISBN 9780823422128

Gather other Children’s Books about America 

Maestro, Betsy. Coming to America. ISBN 9780590441513

Dare, Cholena Rose. America the Beautiful. ISBN ‎9781680529296

Lewison, Wendy Cheyette. F is for Flag. ISBN 9780448428383