45 pages • 1 hour read
Jose Antonio VargasDear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Dear America—Notes of an Undocumented Citizen is a collection of essays by Jose Antonio Vargas that describes his experiences as an undocumented immigrant in the U.S. after being brought from the Philippines at age 12. It chronicles his challenges growing up, discovering his undocumented status and sexual orientation, pursuing journalism, and advocating for immigration reform. The book discusses themes of identity, legality, and belonging while highlighting the complex dynamics of living without documentation in America. Topics in the book include struggles related to sexual orientation and encounters with law enforcement.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Dear America by Jose Antonio Vargas offers a deeply personal and evocative narrative on the complexities of immigrant identity in the U.S. Critics praise Vargas' candid storytelling and the book's ability to humanize the undocumented immigrant experience. However, some feel the narrative occasionally becomes repetitive. Overall, it's a compelling and necessary read.
Who Should Read Dear America?
Dear America by Jose Antonio Vargas captivates readers interested in memoirs highlighting immigration, identity, and social justice. Fans of Becoming by Michelle Obama and The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú will find its compelling narrative and poignant insights particularly engaging.
RecommendedReading Age
14+yearsBook Details
Immigration / Refugee
Race / Racism
LGBTQ
Biography