I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir by Malaka Gharib
I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir by Malaka Gharib
Penguin Random House
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
- Order Processing Time: Orders are typically processed within 1-2 business
- Shipping Confirmation: You will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information once your order has been shipped.
- Returns: We’re pretty easy about it — as long as it’s within reason and the item isn’t damaged, we’ve got you. Just reach out within 30 days and we’ll help sort it out.
- Need help? Email us anytime at info@hottropiks.com.
Share
Couldn't load pickup availability
A coming-of-age story about identity, migration, and growing up between cultures.
I Was Their American Dream is the deeply personal and funny graphic memoir of Malaka Gharib, the daughter of a Filipino mother and an Egyptian father navigating life in the United States as a first-generation American.
Through sharp, expressive comics, Gharib captures what it means to code-switch between worlds: Filipino family parties and Catholic guilt, Egyptian traditions, and the pressure to assimilate into white suburban America. From awkward teen years and mall culture to questions of race, belonging, and the weight of your parents’ sacrifices, this is a story that hits home for anyone who has ever lived between identities.
At once intimate and universal, this award-winning memoir puts a human face on the immigrant experience and the generation raised in its wake.
Why We Love It at Hot Tropiks
- A powerful Filipino diaspora graphic memoir
- Speaks directly to the first-gen and third-culture experience
- Honest, funny, and painfully relatable
- Perfect for readers of Almost American Girl and American Born Chinese
This is the kind of book that gets passed around the family group chat.
Praise
Winner of the Arab American Book Award
Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, The New York Public Library, and Kirkus Reviews
“Forthright and funny, Gharib fiercely claims her own American dream.” — Booklist
Perfect For
✔ Filipino-American & diaspora readers
✔ Fans of graphic memoirs
✔ Coming-of-age stories
✔ Readers exploring identity, culture, and migration

Let customers speak for us
from 97 reviewsPerfect gift for my video game loving brother!
Got this for a coworker who keeps talking about supot and this is it. It's her favorite work tote and I'm all here for it. I even got one for myself but in black.
If you say it wrong it means something else, but let's not go there...
The book arrived on time and without any problems. The book came with the original plastic wrapping and was extra wrapped with bubble wrap for protection during shipping. I got frequent email updates about my order which was helpful. The book itself is wonderful and I’m glad I ordered it through Hot Tropiks and supported a small business.
Galing na! I’ve been such a big fan following Ninong Ry on tiktok and I’m so excited to start making his recipes. The book is so beautifully laid out, funny, and easy to follow. Being a 1st gen Filipino-American, there are a lot of things that get lost from one generation to another (especially in cooking) and I feel Ninong Ry helps to fill those gaps. Thanks for the opportunity to get one of his books stateside!
These folks are the best. Support them.
The flash cards are excellent quality; colorful and easy to read, use, and handle. I was surprised at how quickly the order arrived at my doorstep. Great service and great product. Looking forward to ordering more from Hot Tropiks!
Its a good story but its a lot shorter then I anticipated it would be.
Love the art style and story, can’t wait for more!
Such beautiful work.
Loved it so much i bought another Because I lost some weight. Love the designs and hope some new ones come out for me to buy
The beautiful cover illustration of Zsazsa Zaturnnah drew me in and the pages of dialogue kept me hooked! This has been the MOST FUN I've had reading comics in ages! I began reading it as soon as I bought it at the Liwanag Litfest in Long Beach. I was cackling with laughter all by myself and I didn't care if people were staring at me! My family was laughing with me as I read them excerpts of the dialogue! Aside from the funny antics, there's also themes of friendship, love (of self, of neighbors and romantic love) and believing in one's self. I'm glad I brought Zsazsa Zaturnnah into my life!
Fits good. It's part of my disguise when I'm deep in the country. Material is like any other hat