Summary
Watch Me tells the story of Joe, an immigrant to America from the West African Country of Sierra Leon. Joe’s friends and family warned him he would be treated differently in America and would be made fun of for his accent and skin color. Joe did not let this impact him. He was determined to achieve his goals and dreams. Many thought Joe would fail. Even teachers and classmates thought Joe wouldn’t graduate. Joe repeatedly said “watch me” to his doubters and eventually became a doctor.
Theme(s):
Acceptance, Bravery, Kindness, Perseverance
Personal Response
Watch Me is a beautifully illustrated book that is based on the inspiring and true story of Doyin Richards’s father’s life. The story encourages readers to open their eyes to immigrants and promotes acceptance of everyone. I liked how the book went back and forth from Joe’s story to emphasizing general acceptance messages. This book is a window for me since I am not an immigrant and have not faced challenges like Joe. However, I think anyone can relate pursuing dreams and being inclusive
Teaching Ideas
This book would be helpful to use as part of a social emotional curriculum. It can help introduce children to the idea that we are all full of potential no matter our skin color or where we are from. When using this text in the classroom, students could compare and contrast their own experiences with those discussed in the story. Students could also reflect on how they would feel if they were in Joe’s shoes. This would allow students to consider other perspectives and experiences.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03, Grade 04, Grade 05
