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Multigenerational Migration & Transformation in “All Our Ordinary Stories” by Teresa Wong – Online Book Study

Author/artist Teresa Wong pursues an emotional connection with her parents by researching and documenting their (extra)ordinary stories of escape from China during the Cultural Revolution in the graphic novel All Our Ordinary Stories: A Multigenerational Family Odyssey. Although deeply personal, Wong’s book covers lessons in history, culture, immigration, identity, and multigenerational family experience. The stories, told in words and comics, are relatable to readers of all ages and backgrounds, which makes All Our Ordinary Stories an excellent teaching resource for Language Arts, History, Ethnic Studies, Arts & Humanities, and other academic disciplines in middle grades through college level.

Teachers joined South Seattle College instructor and visual artist Kathy Whitham for an enriching session that delved into the intersections of personal narrative and larger historical contexts.

Program expectations

Participants received a free copy of the graphic novel to read ahead of time. After reading the book, participants chose one theme, topic or passage from the memoir that resonates with them either personally or professionally, and were invited to share their reading responses and/or ways they might incorporate this book in the classroom.

Date and Time

Tuesday, January 14, 2025; 4:30 to 6:30 PM (Pacific Time).

This program was held over Zoom.

Program benefits

Program resources

Click here for the online resources created by program leader Kathy Whitham.

This program was sponsored by the East Asia Resource Center at the University of Washington and funded by a Freeman Foundation grant in support of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA).