On his 12th birthday, Kai learns that he must leave his home in China and journey alone to Gold MountainAmericato live with his father. The year is 1934, and the U.S. does not welcome Chinese immigrants. When Kai arrives he is detained on Angel Island in a crowded barracks, with harsh interrogations and the threat of being returned to China. Will Kai ever be free to join his father?

In this dramatic memoir of early-twentieth century immigration, author Li Keng Wong shares her family's difficult journey from rural China to a new life in California. In 1933, seven-year-old Li Keng's life changed forever when her father decided to bring his family from a small village in southern China to California. Getting to America was not easy, as their family faced America's strict anti-Chinese immigration laws that meant any misstep could mean deportation and disgrace. Life in America during the Great Depression brought many exciting surprises as well as many challenges. Hunger, poverty, police raids, frequent moves, and the occasional sting of racism were a part of everyday life, but slowly Li Keng and her family found stability and a true home in "Gold Mountain." An author's note contains photos and an update on Li Keng Wong's family. This evocative memoir presents the joys and sorrows of pursuing the American Dream during a time of racism and great poverty, but also immense opportunity. The book also contains information on Angel Island and its significance in history as well as an explanation of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Describes the experiences of Chinese immigrants who took part in the California Gold Rush and the building of the transcontinental railroad

Curriculum and resource guide.