We Were Strangers Once, Too: An Immigrant Memoir Collection

Drawing from students across the entire city of Newark, New Jersey, “We Were Strangers Once, Too” is a first of its kind collaborative project in American educational history, a collection of 58 student stories centered around themes of immigration and identity. Each individual story showcases a first-person account of a journey to the United States from one of America’s most vulnerable voices, representing 24 countries, 5 continents, and told in over a dozen unique languages. These narratives provide a window into all aspects of life as an immigrant child in America, including a breathtaking series of individual stories that combine to take readers the complete way from South America to the border, through jungles and over rivers and under cover of night as gang members and police make hot pursuit. 100% of the profits from all book sales will be donated to student fund accounts at Science Park High School and Newark Public Schools, dedicated to providing resources for students who are experiencing food or financial insecurities. “I’m inspired by the extraordinary Newark students who shared their stories of immigration with courage and vulnerability. Each journey reflects a conspiracy of love–loved ones and countless others seen and unseen propelling them towards a better future–and each journey speaks to the strength, beauty, and enduring promise of this great city.” – Senator Cory Booker