He challenged the Supreme Court on his right to be called citizen—and won.
When American-born Wong Kim Ark returns home to San Francisco after a visit to China, he’s stopped and told he cannot enter: he isn’t American. What happens next would forever change the national conversation on who is and isn’t American. After being imprisoned on a ship for months, Wong Kim Ark takes his case to the Supreme Court and argues any person born in America is an American citizen.
I am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story is an important picture book that introduces young readers to the young man who challenged the Supreme Court for his right to be an American citizen and won, confirming birthright citizenship for all Americans.
“More About the Story.” Time line. Black-and-white historical photographs. Full-color illustrations created digitally in Adobe Photoshop.
Title alpha I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story
Category Nonfiction Elementary Plus
Pages Count 40
Genre Nonfiction
Topics Wong Kim Ark (1873–19??). US Supreme Court cases. US citizenship. Immigrants. Emigration and immigration law. Chinese Americans. Nineteenth-century US history. Nineteenth-century US laws. San Francisco, California.
Trim Size 8 1/2" x 11"
JLG Span Winter
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2021-11-22
JLG Release Date Jan 2022
Minimum grade 3
Maximum grade 5
Reading level Elementary
Format Print
Nonfiction Elementary Plus (Grades 3-5)
Nonfiction Elementary Plus
Nonfiction Elementary Plus (Grades 3-5)
For Grades 3-5
This collection of 14 nonfiction books per year sparks curiosity with engaging, fact-filled titles covering a wide range of topics. From science to biographies, these selections encourage discovery and provide an exciting way to satisfy inquisitive minds.