Aaliyah the Brave: Empowering Children Coping with Immigration Enforcement
by Rekha Sharma-Crawford with illustrations by QBN Studios
and other contributions by Isha Patel
Genre: Children’s Books on Immigration
Aaliyah is every child who has ever known the heartbreak of having a parent forcibly removed from the home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She is the voiceless, and faceless child that is often forgotten in a system more focused on separation than reunification. Silent and silenced, she struggles alone unable to describe-let alone overcome- all the things she is feeling.
Aaliyah is also hope. She is the light that demands to be noticed and a cry that needs to be heard. She is the future that demands that immigration laws and enforcement include her in their considerations. She is the spirit of liberty and the essence of childhood.
Designed as a resource for parents, teachers, social workers, advocates, and lawyers, Aaliyah The Brave helps readers understand the impact immigration enforcement can have on children and what emotions children may feel in the aftermath. When immigration officials come to Aaliyah’s home and take her father, she and her family find themselves coping with a variety of emotions. As they prepare themselves for the legal proceedings in Immigration Court, Aaliyah realizes how brave she is, and the family realizes how important communication about what is happening helps to empower her.
Releasing May 15th, 2022
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Available for Pre-Order Now in English – Hardcover and Paperback. And in Spanish – Hardcover and Paperback
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Pre-Publication Reviews
Sirine Shebaya – Executive Director, National Immigration – Project of the National Lawyers Guild
“Rekha’s book makes a much-needed contribution in relating, in a first-personal way, the destructive impact immigration enforcement has on children’s lives. It will hopefully help create more space for kids to verbalize and make sense of their own experiences with the confusing and oppressive system that is such a big part of their families’ journeys.”
Dalia Castillo-Granados – Immigration Attorney and Advocate
Aaliyah The Brave is a much-needed and inspiring story for children impacted by the harsh reality of our immigration laws. Parents, attorneys, adjudicators, and all adults involved in our immigration system can help children like Aaliyah process their feelings when faced with separation from a loved one. Sharma-Crawford’s story is a thoughtful, accurate portrayal of what many families face, and demonstrates that even the youngest members of the family can benefit from honest and compassionate communication through uncertain times.”
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Get the books at Barnes and Nobles, too.
English – Hardcover and Paperback Spanish – Hardcover and Paperback
A portion of proceeds will be going to The Clinic at SCAL, the National Immigration Project and National Immigration Litigation Alliance.
About Rekha Sharma-Crawford
Rekha Sharma-Crawford is a nationally recognized, award-winning, attorney and advocate for immigrant families and children. She represents clients across the United States but calls Kansas City home. More information about her practice can be found at Sharma-Crawford.com
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