Includes index

Pioneers -- Builders -- Creators -- Defenders -- Movers -- Explorers -- Thinkers

"Stories of remarkable American immigrants are brought to life in short, lyrical biographies written by Sara Novi♯⁷ and charming full-color illustrations by artist Alison Kolesar. Some of the names you'll find here are familiar: Founding father Alexander Hamilton was born and raised on the tiny Caribbean island of Nevis before coming to New York to pursue his education, and Yoko Ono's parents disapproved when she fell in with the bohemian art scene after the family moved to the United States from post-war Japan. Some less so: when Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981, three of the doctors who saved his life were immigrants. Many iconically 'American' products wouldn't be here without their immigrant inventors: Levi jeans, Chevrolet, Nathan's Famous hotdogs, Chef Boyardee, Carvel ice cream. At a time when so much of public debate is focused on who belongs in America, and who doesn't, this book offers an opportunity to celebrate the diverse paths and contributions of so many of our friends and neighbors. America is Immigrants features athletes and war heroes, Supreme Court justices and pop stars, fashion designers and Civil Rights leaders, including: Madeleine Albright; Isabel Allende; Desi Arnaz; Isaac Asimov; George Balanchine; Sergey Brin; Gisele Bundchen; Willem de Kooning; Marlene Dietrich; Albert Einstein; Alfred Hitchcock; Arianna Huffington; Enrique Iglesias; Iman; Hedy Lamarr; Yo-Yo Ma; Pedro Martinez; Joni Mitchell; Sidney Poitier; Wolfgang Puck; Rihanna; Knute Rockne; Nikola Tesla; The von Trapps; Elie Wiesel; Anna Wintour"--