The American Wei is a charming story of diversity and togetherness. Wei Fong is excited for two reasons: he has a very loose tooth and it’s the day he and his family are to be naturalized. Upon arrival to the courthouse, Wei loses his tooth and cannot find it. People from all different countries and cultures, who are also getting naturalized, rally together and help him find his tooth. After officially becoming American citizens, Wei and his family celebrate with dim sum and hotdogs.
I think this is a great book when introducing the topic of immigration and naturalization. Pomeranc takes a sophisticated subject and delivers it in a light and entertaining manner that would hold any child’s attention.
Although the book has a lot to do with the missing tooth, I believe the coming together of different immigrants was the main focus. It portrays the diversity of the United States by exhibiting the different cultures that help make America the great melting pot that it is. ( )

The American Wei tells the story about a Chinese family becoming American citizens. The story takes place on the day they are sworn in. Wei is excited to be becoming an American citizen and he hopes he will lose his tooth and get a visit from the tooth fairy for the first time. Wei loses his tooth, but he doesn't know where it went outside the federal courthouse. Everyone outside of the courthouse helps Wei to find his tooth since he is so devastated. They are from all over the world and are at the courthouse to become citizens too. A woman finds the tooth just in time for the ceremony to begin. Everyone is sworn in and are all proud of their new citizenship and friendship. That night Wei gets his first visit from the tooth fairy. Wei's desire to lose his tooth after he is an official citizen is what causes everyone to come together. He really wants the tooth fairy to visit him and experience what other American kids do. I think everyone from all different cultures coming together for the same cause is a perfect symbol of America. The US is filled with so many different cultures, yet they all blend together to form one nation. ( )

Summary: The American Wei tells the story about a boy who just moved to America from China. It is a special day because it was the day he got to become officially a United States citizen. His family was rushing to get to the court house on time when Wei lost his tooth. Wei, his mom and his dad were all searching the sidewalk looking for the tooth but could not find it. Wei was getting more and more upset about the tooth fairy not coming. People walking by, all also going to the courthouse, stopped to help Wei find his missing tooth. There were people from many different countries and places searching all over the sidewalk. Finally, a women shouted something and another man clarified that she found the tooth! Everyone was excited for Wei and ready for the ceremony to begin. The whole group squeezed in the elevator and got out in the court room. After the ceremony, all the people became American citizens together. That night, Wei and his family celebrated and Wei was able to put his tooth under his pillow.

Argument: I think this book is a great example of community and different cultures working together. It definitely shows how even though people speak different languages, once in America, we all have something that connects us even through all the differences. The main message I got out of this story was how something like this can connect all people through their differences. I also think a student who has just come to this country would feel comfort in this book. It is a stressful yet exciting time getting to become an American citizen and this is something that students going through this can connect too, especially if the student is having a hard time with adjusting to American customs. An example is when Wei's family had a feast of dim sum (traditional Chinese dish) and hot dogs. This shows that they are still keeping part of their Chinese culture but still adapting to living in America. ( )

A Chinese American preschooler, Wei Fong, loses his 1st tooth the day his family is going to be naturalized and become an American citizen; however, he loses the tooth in front of the courthouse and cannot find it! Numerous people from different nationalities that are also applying for their citizenship help him find his tooth. Wei discovers how important citizenship is and celebrates it with his family with “dim sum and hot dogs.” This picture book takes a difficult concept like naturalization and makes it easier for children to understand through its simple vocabulary. The lively and semi-realistic colored-pencil illustrations demonstrate that America is made-up of various ethnicities and not everyone is Caucasian. It offers a unique perspective that often does not appear in children’s books. Additionally, the author includes a note about naturalization for those who wish to know more. Not all children will be able to understand the theme, but it will still be able to enjoy the story and illustrations. Recommended for ages 4-9. ( )

Naturalization ( )