Hard work, adversity, the search for a better life. It’s a story as old as time. It’s the story of immigrants. Heritage months are marked by these humble and sometimes heartbreaking stories. Malaka’s story is no exception to hard work and trial but she also teaches us a humorous, compassionate, and honest way of looking at our heritage.

I Was Their American Dream, is a memoir about the experiences of a Egyptian-Filipino-American, Malaka, as she grows up in a small immigrant town in California. She recounts her parents hopes for their new life, as well as the ways that children fulfill unrealized dreams. However, as a child of immigrants, the responsibility of being everything to everyone can seem overwhelming. Especially as a teenager when everyone wants to put you in a box. Malaka learns this the hard way when everyone’s biggest question becomes, “What are you?”

Although Gharib’s experiences may be unique, her story is not. She is only one piece in a much larger, more complex narrative of “otherness”. It is having the challenges of two separate worlds, but not feeling any of the advantages. Written as a graphic novel, the memoir had unique opportunities to engage its readers both visually and practically with hands-on projects, recipes, and games. It excelled in this area. One area in which it lacked was the illustrations. The illustrations should be what connects the readers to the story, but I found the characters’ appearance confusing. Not all Asians look the same but when dominant features come across as Caucasian, it takes the reader out of the story. Despite the different languages sprinkled throughout the book and the ethnic cuisine, it remained difficult to reconcile the way the characters looked with their heritage. Nevertheless, Gharib is able to reflect on her childhood and young adulthood with the gained wisdom that comes with time and the ability to see the humor in life. Ultimately, it is this earnest voice that makes her story relatable to all people, regardless of age or race.