THE NEW AFRICAN AMERICANS

Ashabranner sandwiches introductions to several recent immigrants from Africa—revisiting one who was profiled in his Still a Nation of Immigrants (1993)—between historical accounts of “immigration” patterns, and a general description of modern Africa. His chosen subjects give the immigrant experience a positive spin; some fled persecution, but most came as students, or were already well-educated, and put a strong work ethic to use. The engaging, semi-formal black-and-white portrait photographs help further to put faces on this small but growing immigrant group; an Ethiopian folktale and samples of imported wood carving provide glimpses of cultural influences that the group is stirring into the American mix. This quick survey is equally suited to specific assignment reading or to fill in background for any student of immigration. (index, not seen, b&w photos, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 11-13)