Programs and Communications Intern Juan Reyes recommends First Gen: A Memoir by Alejandra Campoverdi.
First Gen: A Memoir is truly a gift. As a child of Mexican immigrants, to find a book that somehow encapsulates the aspects of what it means to be first-generation has been both eye-opening and reassuring.
Her book illustrates her truthful and raw story of what it takes to achieve the “American Dream”, depicting moments of struggles, sacrifices, and even victories in the quest that she and her family experienced.
Campoverdi shares her experiences, both as a young child and an adult, and how they helped her navigate the world as a First-Generation American, breaking down the intertwined, multifaceted, and intricate aspects of what she perceives as composing the term “First-Generation”.
While highly respected and celebrated for her undeniably amazing achievements, First Gen does not attempt to flaunt her achievements; instead she presents a transparent, honest, and emotional narrative of how difficult it was to achieve the American Dream, and the price that was to be paid when you are the “First and Only”.
Her story shares the challenges of finding one’s identity, revealing the nuance of living between cultures, the resiliency to overcome various setbacks, and the courage to share an honest story with those who are like her.
To say that this book has made me feel seen is an underestimation, and disrespectful to this
amazing work. I laughed and cried, feeling understood. Her ability to articulate the immigrant
experience in America is compelling, helping to provide an impactful and resonant account on
what it truly means to be a first-generation American. To those who have been a “First and Only”
in any room, Alejandra Campoverdi’s book is a beacon of encouragement, urging you to
persevere, excel, and transform the challenges that come your way into opportunities of
profound change.
