Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Happiness Supporting Our Immigrant and Refugee Children Through the Power of Reading

Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Happiness is the first professional title dedicated to addressing a school’s reading culture with a focus on the needs of immigrant and refugee students and families—including learning their target language, English.

Dr. Vu presents the research-informed six conditions of culture—Commitment, Collection, Clock, Conversation, Connection, and Celebration—that create a school environment where immigrant and refugee students can thrive. Additionally, Dr. Vu provides practical strategies that most effectively support students who are new to this country.

Dr. Don Vu has been an elementary school teacher and principal for 25 years. Don and his former school staff chartered a literacy campaign to foster the love of reading in all students. In 2017, he received the Celebrate Literacy Award from the California Reading Association (CRA) for his outstanding leadership in literacy. In 2018, his school was one of five schools nationally to receive the Exemplary Reading Program Award from the International Literacy Association (ILA).

He understands the challenges children face when learning a new language and culture, having fled Vietnam with his family in 1975. He also knows that reading can be transformative and life-changing. He currently serves on the national advisory boards of Scholastic Book Fairs and the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program.

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