Piece by Piece: Stories About Fitting Into Canada
Toronto, ON: Puffin Canada, 2010
183pp., hardcover $20.00
ISBN 978-0-670-06849-4
Subject Headings: Immigrants-Canada-Biography-Juvenile literature.
Authors, Canadian (English)-20th century-Biography-Juvenille literature.
Grades 7-12/ Ages 12-17
Highly Recommended
* Canadian Authors and Content
Piece by Piece: Stories About Fitting into Canada is a young adult anthology featuring original stories by some of Canada's most distinguished authors who were born in another country and struggled to fit in when they moved to Canada. The authors share their personal experiences and feelings about belonging. An
excellent addition to a school library and a valuable resource for teachers who are looking for a variety of perspectives about fitting in, overcoming obstacles, discrimination, and immigration to share with their students.
I have included a list of the contributors, and in some cases a glimpse into their stories, hardships, and celebrations about being Canadian.
Manga author born and rasied in Russia, and moved to Canada when she was sixteen years old.
excerpt:
When we arrived, all we had were our hastily packed suitcases.
They weren't big enough to fit everything.
What I brought with me: clothes, books, my best drawings, diaries, and my stamp collection.
What we left behind: my older sister, my hometown, and a lifetime of memories.
Author and director born in South Africa and now lives in Toronto.
Governor General's Award-winning author born in India.
excerpt:
It's difficult to come up with only a few snapshots of belonging because mostly I do belong. Canada and I have grown and evolved together, so that belonging is a status that is rarely jolted now, although it does still happen.
Poet and author born in Cornwall England, grew up in Jamaica and now resides in Toronto.
Canadian history author born in the United States of America.
excerpt:
When you are born in Canada, perhaps you never think about why others want to become Canadians. You don't know whether war, famine, cruel government regimes, jobs, or love drives people to Canada's shores. You might not even know the steps people take to become citizens. There are rules to be followed. Years to be lived in Canada. And tests to be taken.
Young adult author born in London England and now resides in Saskatoon, SK.
Actor, playwright, and storyteller born in Grenada.
excerpt:
I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to do what I wanted to do. When they realized my heart was set in performing, and there was not way of learning that "drama stuff" on the island, they sent me to Montreal to study theatre. I was nineteen, and I will never forget the surprise when I landed in Canada.
Poet, rapper, and a child of refugee parents from Oromia, a part of Ethiopia still under colonial regime.
Author born in Mumbai and now lives in Toronto.
Author born in Tehran, Iran.
excerpt:
After my release out of prison, the government of Iran refustd to give me a passport, and I had to wait six years to leave the country.
Author born in Lebanon in 1977 and moved to Canada in 1988.
Award winning writer who was born in Zagreb, Croatia.
excerpt:
My mom and I arrived in Canada on October 26th, 1955, on the Queen Elizabeth II.
I was thirteen days old.
Six months later my father died.
Martial artist and author born in Japan who now lives in Toronto.
Historical fiction author who immigrated to Canada during the Hungarian Revolution who now lives in Winnipeg, MB.
excerpt:
A roomful of eyes stared at me. Somebody snickered in the back of the room, but I couldn't tell who it was, for my oxfords drew my eyes like a magnet.
Young Adult author born in Shanghai in 1952 and now lives in Orillia, Ontario.
Piece by Piece brought to the forefront that every immigrant has a story. I was able to identify with some of the stories, others provided thoughtful insight, and some were hard to fathom. The reality is, that some of these stories also mimic some of our own student's personal experiences. After reading this anthology I feel that I can better identify with some of the struggles that our EAL students may have in our schools, and most importantly I was reminded that at some point and time we all have struggled to belong. A powerful message and reminder to share with all of our students.
Reviews and Awards
Curriculum Connections
- English Language Arts: Personal and philosophical context
- Social Studies: Dynamic Relationships & Power and Authority
- Suitable for Middle Years and High School
Sky Color is the third book in Peter Reynold's creatrilogy, which also includes The Dot and Ish. Marisol is a budding artist who lives and breathes for painting so when she is asked to help paint a mural in the library she is ecstatic. Marisol volunteers to paint the sky but is taken aback when she discovers there is no blue paint. A puzzled Marisol becomes more attuned to her surroundings and begins to notice nature's abundance of colors, tones, and hues. A reminder for everyone of all ages to pause and take note of the vast array of colors in our world and to embrace creativity and individuality. 
