NEW BOOK!🥰 Grateful to share my 3rd book, coming out on the 5th of July published by @quartokids Journey to America, is a special project for me. This book is special not just because I am an immigrant who came to this country at age fourteen, but also because it allowed me to further appreciate the contributions of immigrants that made the U.S what it is today. As a Pakistani-American immigrant, I initially struggled with my identity. I asked, “Am I still Pakistani or am I American, now that I live here?” There was some guilt of letting go of an old life. I constantly felt homesick, and it was not an easy adjustment —especially given the cultural difference between the two countries. Something that helped me was the path paved by immigrants before me who set foundations in the U.S. and made sure future generations like myself can find themselves in this country. It is because of them that I can value both parts of my identity —the Pakistani side and the American side —and build something new. While talking about the U.S., phrases such as “the melting pot” and “land of opportunities” are often used. The U.S. is a melting pot because people from around the world travel to this country and call it their home. But it is also essential to remember the amazing innovators, artists, scientists, thinkers, and writers who brought their brilliant ideas to this land. Millions of immigrants continue to contribute to the U.S. economy, culture, cuisine, and much more. They were brave enough to leave an entire life behind in their home country and start a journey in search of a better life for themselves and for their families. In that quest, the United States of America gained many great minds and hardworking citizens. Journey to America consists of twenty stories of incredible people who positively contributed to the U.S., from Sergey Brin (the genius behind Google) to Rihanna (the talented musician, businesswoman, fashion icon, and philanthropist). This is a book, but it is also a small movement to remind people, through these stories, of the overall impact immigrants have had on the U.S. over the course of many decades and generations. -Maliha Abidi