Abdi Nor Iftin (Books)

Abdi Nor Iftin Books

Abdi Nor Iftin recounts his extraordinary life story in his memoir. As a five-year-old, he experienced the Somali civil war, which forced him to become a family provider while also attending school. Amidst the war's chaos and famine, his escape came through American movies and music, inspiring him to self-teach English and dream of a life in the United States. His fascination with Western culture earned him the nickname "Abdi American," which later became a liability with the rise of Islamic extremism. To evade conscription, he secretly filed reports for NPR, risking the death penalty. After fleeing to Kenya and subsequently winning the Diversity Visa Lottery, he eventually became a naturalized U.S. citizen in Maine. His stirring memoir is a testament to the desperation of refugees and a reminder of the allure of Western democracies for those seeking a better life.

Call Me American (Adapted for Young Adults)

272 pages
10 hours of reading

4.3(208)Add rating

Adapted from the adult memoir, this gripping story follows one boy's journey into young adulthood and offers an intimate account of modern immigration.Abdi Nor Iftin grew up amidst a blend of cultures, far from the United States. At home in Somalia, his mother entertained him with vivid folktales and bold stories detailing her rural, nomadic upbrinding. As he grew older, he spent his days following his father, a basketball player, through the bustling street of the capital city of Mogadishu.But when the threat of civil war reached Abdi's doorstep, his family was forced to flee to safety. Through the turbulent years of war, young Abdi found solace in popular American music and films. Nicknamed Abdi the American, he developed a proficiency for English that connected him--and his story--with news outlets and radio shows, and eventually gave him a shot at winning the annual U.S. visa lottery.Abdi shares every part of his journey, and his courageous account reminds readers that everyone deserves the chance to build a brighter future for themselves