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Aaliyah The Brave

English: Barnes & Noble and Amazon & Spanish: Barnes & Noble and Amazon

Also available directly from Ingramspark Distributions 

Finding Freedom

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Soft Dots
A portion of the proceeds will be going to
The Clinic at SCAL, 
and 
National Immigration Litigation Alliance 

About Aaliyah

Aaliyah is every child who has ever known the heartbreak of having a parent forcibly removed from the home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She is the voiceless, and faceless child that is often forgotten in a system more focused on separation than reunification. Silent and silenced, she struggles alone unable to describe-let alone overcome- all the things she is feeling. 

Aaliyah is also hope. She is the light that demands to be noticed and a cry that needs to be heard. She is the future that demands that immigration laws and enforcement include her in their considerations. She is the spirit of liberty and the essence of childhood.

Designed as a resource for parents, teachers, social workers, advocates, and lawyers,  
Aaliyah The Brave helps readers understand the impact immigration enforcement can have on children and what emotions children may feel in the aftermath. When immigration officials come to Aaliyah’s home and take her father, she and her family find themselves coping with a variety of emotions. As they prepare themselves for the legal proceedings in Immigration Court, Aaliyah realizes how brave she is, and the family realizes how important communication about what is happening helps to empower her.

 

Asliyah The Brave
Asliyah The Brave
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About Raaha and Ríaan

Raaha and her brother Ríaan arrived in the US escaping violent and dangerous conditions. In search of protection and security, they thought they were safe once they reached US soil.
Little did they know what was awaiting them. Will they ever find the true freedom they were seeking? Join Raaha and Ríaan on their journey to find freedom.

Many children make dangerous journeys to the U.S. in search of safety, only to find themselves in situations of hidden risks once here. This book is designed as a resource guide to help adults and children talk about sensitive topics by opening up lines of communication and creating dialogue to bring understanding through discussion.

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Reviews

"Rekha's book makes a much-needed contribution in relating, in a first-personal way, the destructive impact immigration enforcement has on children's lives. It will hopefully help create more space for kids to verbalize and make sense of their own experiences with the confusing and oppressive system that is such a big part of their families' journeys."

“Aaliyah the Brave is a story of resilience and an amazing tool for any adult that wants to start a difficult conversation with their child but does not know how. Immigration and family separation is a reality that we can no longer ignore. The book’s author does an incredible job at teaching the public about the process while encouraging open communication and emotional validation within the family unit.”

Dr. Marina G. Villani Capó 

Bilingual Clinical Psychologist at a children’s hospital, Miami, FL

“Aaliyah The Brave is a much-needed and inspiring story for children impacted by the harsh reality of our immigration laws. Parents, attorneys, adjudicators, and all adults involved in our immigration system can help children like Aaliyah process their feelings when faced with separation from a loved one. Sharma-Crawford's story is a thoughtful, accurate portrayal of what many families face, and demonstrates that even the youngest members of the family can benefit from honest and compassionate communication through uncertain times.”

Dalia Castillo-Granados

Immigration Attorney and Advocate

“Aaliyah the Brave is an intimate narrative on the delicate nature of legal status in America. The story offers a simple yet thought-provoking conversation starter to build empathy for the children facing these issues and the community around them.”

Jee Hae Lee

Teacher, NYC Department of Education

“The story of a little girl who finds great courage in the face of unspeakable hardship, AALIYAH THE BRAVE is a go-to resource for parents, lawyers, and teachers helping children process the pain of family separation and immigration enforcement.”

Valarie Kaur

Civil rights leader and author of SEE NO STRANGER: A MEMOIR AND MANIFESTO OF REVOLUTIONARY LOVE

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