Books with author Cristina Ong

I am an immigrant, like you maybe, and this is my truth about immigration. A true story. A story of many... Too many. Is it yours too? You too are a prisoner of geography who lives in a world of racism without racists?If the answer is Yes, my heart goes out to you.Discrimination, prejudice, exploitation, and abuse are what I know best. For the world, I am a human of inferior birth, but I know that is not true.I don’t want to take anything from you. I just want what’s mine by birthright. I deserve to be considered human. A human like you.This true story of survival is a work in progress.17 years ago, after living under a very oppressive communist regime, I left my homeland for the first time.I didn’t want to abandon my parents and the only reality I knew.I cried in despair thinking I will never go back. I hated my destiny... my siblings’ destinies. None of us wanted to leave.I know I am one of the lucky ones. I didn’t cross oceans and seas in shipwrecks.I didn’t walk for thousands of kilometres as some of the people I know.I didn’t live in barracks and ate from a trash bin.My heart goes out to all these humans who went through unthinkable situations in the pursuit of happiness.I have been treated in diverse ways during these years, but seldom fairly.For many, too many, I am a human of inferior birth, not worthy of consideration.I have no country now. No identity.I feel like I don’t belong anywhere.I feel like the world doesn’t want me. I haven’t seen my eight (remaining) siblings all together in seventeen years.I know that only a tragedy will reunite us. But I don’t want that tragedy. I want to hug my siblings and have lunch with them. And I want to visit my dearest’s brother tomb and leave a flower on it to make him realise we haven’t forgotten him. He will live in our hearts forever. The UK, the country I love very much, has voted "Leave." Should I pack my bags?Should I give up my dream?Nobody wants Romanians. Is there anywhere I could go?How am I going to provide for my octogenarian parents who survived the Second World War and raised ten children under an oppressive communist regime?Is it really true that this world is not for people like me?What should I do?What can I do?What would You do if you were me?Would you dare to ask for your human and civil rights?Would you cry and feel alone in the whole universe?I hope you’ll never have to find out.

Stephen Hawking was one of the greatest minds of our time. His theories about the universe have changed the way we think about black holes and the Big Bang. Learn more about the physicist on wheels who traveled the world. The Capstone Interactive edition comes with simultaneous access for every student in your school and includes read aloud audio recorded by professional voice over artists.