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An American Immigrant

By: Johanna Rojas Vann
Narrated by: Allison Strong
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Publisher's summary

A Colombian American journalist tries to save her career by taking an assignment somewhere she never thought she’d go—Colombia—in this heartwarming debut novel about rediscovering our family stories.

“A beautiful homage to a mother’s bravery and to the grace and grit that is our inheritance.”—Alicia Menendez, MSNBC anchor and creator and host of the
Latina to Latina podcast

Twenty-five-year-old Melanie Carvajal, a hardworking but struggling journalist for a Miami newspaper, loves her Colombian mother but regularly ignores her phone calls, frustrated that she never quite takes the time to understand Melanie’s life. When the opportunity arises for a big assignment that might save her flagging career, Melanie follows the story to the land of her mother’s birth. She soon realizes Colombia has the potential to connect her, after all these years, to something she’s long ignored: her heritage, the love of her mother, her family, and the richest parts of herself.

Colombia offers more than a chance to make a name for herself as a writer. It is a place of untold stories.

Inspired by real-life events, An American Immigrant is a story of culture and community, of abiding commitment to family, and of embracing our culture and the generations that have come before.

©2023 Johanna Rojas Vann (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A beautiful homage to a mother’s bravery and the grace and grit that is our inheritance. An American Immigrant is a clarion call to water our roots and refuse to allow those we love to be lost in translation.” —Alicia Menendez, MSNBC anchor and creator and host of Latina to Latina podcast

“In a yearning and humbling journey to the place of her mother’s birth, a fictional Miami journalist discovers her innermost worth by yielding to family truth, creative courage, and cultural clarity—which she needs to give both her heart and the hard world her authentic best. An enchanting, brave, and uplifting story of discovery, family love, and determined hope.” —Patricia Raybon, Christy Award–winning author of the Annalee Spain Mystery series and My First White Friend: Confessions on Race, Love, and Forgiveness

“In a yearning and humbling journey to the place of her mother’s birth, a fictional Miami journalist discovers her innermost worth by yielding to family truth, creative courage, and cultural clarity—which she needs to give both her heart and the hard world her authentic best. An enchanting, brave, and uplifting story of discovery, family love, and determined hope.” —Patricia Raybon, Christy Award–winning author of the Annalee Spain Mystery series and My First White Friend: Confessions on Race, Love, and Forgiveness

What listeners say about An American Immigrant

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A must listen or read!

This book was so easy to relate. Very engaged and so many emotions. I couldn’t stop listening. Thank you!

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A Good Tale

An American Immigrant was a good story detailing the fight to reach America and the challenges faced by 2nd generation children. The narrator also did a good job with the various characters and different emotions. I enjoyed it and recommend it

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RECOMMEND

I listened to it on my way to work and home, everyday I’ll get excited to know what was coming going to happen next. As a first generation daughter, I relate to this story with both the mom and the daughter. It’s open my eyes about my own life.

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Culture

I very much enjoyed this book. The story is like real life. It made me miss my long gone family. I wish I could’ve asked so many questions. Thank you for your story

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The potential storyline

I really liked where the storyline was headed but I felt like this is a book for much more young minds. I would’ve preferred something a little less heartfelt and a bit more intense. The performance of the narrator was good but definitely more for a less mature audience

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Love this!!!

I loved everything about this book except that it ended 🤗
I loved all the Spanish in it.

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So relatable

I loved this book. As a Colombian American with similar family experience I really enjoyed listening to Melanie's story and her new found connection to Colombia and her family

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Loved it!

My first time ever reading a Colombian immigration story plus the second generation perspective as the kids of immigrants. As a Colombian myself I loved the story and all the commentary about Colombia, but also the struggle to understand our identity and having to be between two cultures, the hardship many immigrants go through when moving to the US and many don’t even want to leave their home countries. There is also the theme around trusting your gut, and being authentic to what drives you, that can lead to career success that otherwise wouldn’t have happened.

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More than a story.

So many books only tell a story. This one does that but also teaches a lesson. It reminds us, maybe for the first time, that our parents have lived lives, too, and if we do not ask about their stories, we lose our chance at something incredibly special. It highlights the importance of knowing your family and having curiosity about where and who you come from. Also, great narration. Highly recommend!

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Absolutely Beatiful

An absolutely beautiful story that will touch the soul of any immigrant or child of immigrants. It was one of those books that you wish wouldn’t end.

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