Books, videos, and websites for Third Culture Kids
Emily’s family moves from the US to Japan where her father is in charge of the small American school. In spite of her homesickness, she begins to make new friends and explore Japanese culture, and gradually she helps the other American kids in her school discover that it’s fun to learn about their overseas home, too. This book is set right after WWII and shows how Emily overcomes her fear of Japan and that people from both places can learn a lot about each other.
Reading level: age 8-12 years
“My second life began when I was kidnapped by two complete strangers. My mother, who assisted in the kidnapping, said I was exaggerating.”
Dinnie is used to moving around the USA with her parents since her dad is always chasing after new “opportunities.” But this time she’s been taken out of the country by her aunt and uncle and she had no say in her future. Dinnie ends up in an international school in Lugano, Switzerland where everything is new and different and people speak Italian! Will she adapt to a new home and new friends with totally different beliefs and cultures or close herself off to protect herself and just survive?
Reading level: age 8-12 years
Lexi has always been an outsider. She lived in the Amazon and the deserts of Arizona before moving to Africa. But after their houseboy (her dear friend) was killed by soldiers, Lexi’s parents decide it is too dangerous for her to stay with them, so they send her to boarding school in the U.S. There she feels completely misunderstood as rumors spread about her strange past But she looks forward to staying at her aunt and uncle’s farm in upstate New York for the summer. She hopes to become a part of a big, happy family, but when she arrives, she quickly discovers that is not to be. Even though her two girl cousins try to include her, she does not share either their interests or their skills, and her older boy cousins spend their lives playing baseball. Only in Jeb, a year younger than Lexi, does she find a friend. A misfit himself, he is fascinated with the Indian way of life, and confides in Lexi that he has heard that a small tribe lives in the nearby mountains. He plans to run away to find the tribe and ask them to adopt him. Lexi decides to join him, and they set off down the river on a raft Jeb built. Their journey is full of mishaps but the adventure teaches both of them much about their own strengths.
Reading level: age 9-13 years
Five-year old Annie spends a month in Moscow with her parents, doctors who are working there in a hospital. When she first arrives, everything is unfamiliar – even the alphabet. Annie tries to cope with the unwelcome changes by withdrawing, but soon makes friends with Anya, a Russian girl at her daycare. Anya helps her learn Russian, and soon Annie is enjoying her new home. A touching portrayal of a child’s culture shock, especially when Annie comforts herself when overwhelmed with the Cyrillic writing around her by singing the alphabet song loudly to herself.
Reading level: age 6-9 years
Jazmin has just arrived in California from El Salvador. Her mother prepares her by visiting her school ahead of time, but she is still nervous because she does not speak any English. Her homeroom teacher mispronounces her name, and she does not understand what people are saying to her. Eventually, though, she is able to demonstrate her ability to play soccer, and she makes a friend who begins to teach her English. Written in first person by Jazmin and illustrated with photographs, this book deals with going to a new school and learning a new language all at the same time.
Reading level: age 8-11 years
Two Japanese-American kids, ages 5 and 11, move to Japan where their father’s company has been posted. Both kids initially dread the move and they are recognized as “gaijin” (foreigners) when the arrive, in spite of the fact that they are ethnically Japanese. Though they take different approaches to settling into new surroundings, both children eventually adjust, recognizing finally that they’ve grown in “ways that can’t be measured by a yardstick.” This oversized chapter/picture book is rather long for young children but would be good for older elementary or middle schoolers.
Reading level: age 9-12 years