Mary Appel Kooy's life changed dramatically when, at age 8, her Pa stood up and unexpectedly announced after their Dutch Sunday dinner: "We are immigrating to Australia." Her mother shot up out of her chair and loudly declared, "No! No! No! Too far away. We are immigrating to Canada." "Ja," Pa responded, "Canada." And that's exactly what they did.

Preparations included vaccinations, packing, and finally, in February 1952, traveling across the North Atlantic Ocean. Obstacles, "just in time" interventions, open doors, and opportunities directed the odyssey of her life. The challenges and barriers provided the very stuff Mary needed to redirect her path and "lay down a path while walking." Unafraid. Bold. Spirited.

What readers are saying...

The current era of global migration makes this book all the more relevant...

This beautiful narrative about the search for a sense of belonging is told from the perspective of Mary, a post-war Dutch immigrant girl who moved to Canada with her family at the age of eight. After the war, many people fled from grief and poverty and hoped for a better life in Canada or the US. For an eight-year-old, this means she has no choice but to come along and undergo the incredible transformation of her life. Paulien, Netherlands

Love this book...

How Did I Get Here: An Immigrant's Odyssey takes you on a journey alongside Mary Appel. You will feel as if you are walking beside her, feeling her emotions, as she navigates the unchartered paths to discovering her greatness in a strange place. You will laugh with her, cry with her and feel compassion for the child who felt invisible. Kateryna