Books like I Am a Pencil by Sam Swope

When the seasoned children's‑book author Sam Swope accepted a writing workshop in Queens, he was quickly drawn into the vibrant, multicultural lives of his 28 students. Over three years they formed his writer‑in‑residence family, composing stories that ranged from nature poems to autobiographies, all while navigating the everyday realities of living in a new country. Swope’s narrative follows students from twenty‑one nations speaking eleven languages as they learn to turn experience into expression. Alongside stories of personal growth, he meets characters such as MeiKai, whose mother practices Taoism; Aaron, whose messy handwriting challenges truth; Noelia, a Dominican chatterbox caught up in a report‑card heist; Miguel, an Ecuadorian boy balancing faith and freedom; and Su Jung, a quiet girl whose silence reveals family loss. Through humor, resilience, and creativity, the book celebrates how these young writers confront and celebrate the complexities of immigrant life in the city. "I Am a Pencil" is a testament to the power of writing to bridge culture, language, and imagination, showing how a classroom can become a community where stories heal, teach, and inspire.

First publish date: 2004