When I picked this up, I didn't realize it was historical fiction, set in the 1960s (mirroring the author's own experiences immigrating to America) though I assume wait times for green cards are similar if not a longer wait. Colorful illustrations. ( )

This is a cute, hope-filled story about seeking freedom and a better life. Na-Li and her family immigrated from Taiwan to the United States where they wait for their green cards. She has to navigate her way through a different culture, school, language, and even a new name: Hannah. After months of anxiously waiting they receive their green card, and Hannah finally feels that America is home.
Writing in Hannah’s point of view was a charming touch. By doing so I feel as though we aren’t just reading about her life, we are being taken on her journey. Children also tend to be more honest with their thoughts and emotions and I think Yang really portrayed that.
I like how the time period is left anonymous until she adds the detail of Martin Luther King’s death. It also makes it a more special and genuine story knowing it is based off of the author’s early years in America in the 1960s. Yang’s rich illustrations brought all of the words and emotions to life.
This was a sincere and authentic story of hope, family, and opportunity. ( )

This story is about an immigrant family learning to adapt into a different culture and society which is great for children ages 4 and up because in school there are many children going through the same situations and I thought the story was great. ( )

This book shares with children the experience of being an immigrant in the United States and the process of becoming a citizen. Very colorful art and a moving and detailed story of the process of becoming and American. Also shows children the journey of adapting to a new school, new language and new community... all children will be able to identify with some aspect of this young girl’s experience.

"Hannah is My Name" is about a young girl and her family that moved from Taiwan to America. The author shows us how a lot of immigrant families feel when coming to America. I love how the author used events to describe what era the book was written in. ( )