I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story

A timely and important picture book that introduces readers to Wong Kim Ark, who challenged the Supreme Court for his right to be an American citizen.

When American-born, Wong Kim Ark returns home to San Francisco after a visit to China, he's stopped and told he cannot enter: he isn't American. What happens next would forever change the national conversation on who is, and can be, American. Wong Kim Ark takes his case to the Supreme Court and argues that, as stated in the 14th Amendment, any person born in America should be granted American citizenship regardless of their race. Despite protests from xenophobic lawmakers, Wong Kim Ark ultimately prevails.