Teaching Call Me American

In Abdi Nor Iftin’s remarkable memoir Call Me American (Adapted for Young Adults), readers follow along with Iftin’s improbable but very real journey through civil war in Somalia, life as a refugee in Kenya, and the harrowing process of emigrating and adjusting to life in the United States. Despite devastating losses, near-constant danger, and numerous setbacks, “Abdi American” is determined to make his way to America and send support back to his family in Somalia and Kenya. Iftin’s story shines a powerful light on the nearly insurmountable obstacles that stand between asylum seekers and safety, and it invites reflection on the practical and psychological challenges that refugees often face after resettlement. 

The themes of this memoir align with Facing History’s Borders & Belonging ELA Collection. We’ve created this planning guide to support your school community in small-group, whole-class, or schoolwide reading and discussion. The discussion questions are designed to spark critical thinking and conversations around issues of migration, identity, determination, resilience, and the fluidity of borders and home.

Learn about using this title in an All Community Read on the theme of Borders & Belonging.