What Does It Mean to Be American?

I have not given the idea of myself being an American very much thought before, maybe because I am only five years old. In What Does It Mean to Be American?, I learned things that people do that are thought to be just American, like eating apple pie and watching fireworks. After each of the pages, I am told that doing those things listed is not what is required to be an American. Then the rest of the book tells you what it does mean to be American and how lots of different people can be considered American. All you have to do is treat everyone nice, work hard, and let people decide what they want to do with the freedom we have.

After reading this book, I do a lot of the things listed: I like spending time outside, eating meals with my family, helping other people, and exercising to keep strong and healthy. I haven’t met many people that are different than I am, but I don’t know why they would be any different if they like to play and have fun like me. I liked this book and I think other kids my age will too.