Spring 2025

Something Happened to My Dad

A Story about Immigration and Family Separation

From the Series Something Happened

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

In this realistic and empowering tale, Carmen learns that through community and love, she can find strength in herself and maintain her connection with her Papi, who has been detained because of his immigration status. Also available in a Spanish edition, Algo Le Pasó A Mi Papá: Una Historia Sobre Inmigración y la Separación Familiar ISBN 9781433839504.

Carmen loves doing magic with her Papi. He can make sarapes fly. He can make rabbits vanish! But one day, her Papi vanishes. She is sad and scared when she learns he has been detained because he is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. At first, Carmen’s family keeps Papi’s detention a secret, fearing that they might be judged negatively. As Carmen’s community becomes aware of their situation, they rally around her family with love. Carmen learns she can find strength in herself and maintain her connection with Papi, no matter what happens.

The Something Happened books present and explain sensitive and important events happening in communities across the United States and around the world. Told in clear, compelling stories, the books come with the authority of psychological expertise from APA. They include Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story of Racial Injustice, which is a New York Times and #1 IndieBound bestseller, and one of ALA’s most banned books; Something Happened in Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence, which was nominated for The Goddard Riverside CBC Youth Book Prize for Social Justice; and Something Happened to My Dad: A Story About Immigration and Family Separation.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-4338-3944-3
$16.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on library bound hardcovers and all eBook and eBook with Audio editions when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books
Category Diverse Books: Immigration & Refugees, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, SEL: C Social Awareness, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2022
Publisher Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Imprint Magination Press — American Psychological Association
Language English
Number of Pages 40
Publication Date 2025-01-01
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV039250, JUV013000, JUV039120
Dewey [E]
Dimensions 8 x 10
Features Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, Note to adults, Original artwork, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Ann Hazzard, PhD

Ann Hazzard, PhD, ABPP, is a faculty member at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, working at clinics serving mostly minority and immigrant families. As a psychologist, Ann has utilized therapeutic stories in treatment with children and teens. As a community advocate, she has focused on children’s behavioral health and social justice. She is a co-author with Drs. Collins and Celano of the New York Times bestselling Something Happened in Our Town and Something Happened in Our Park.

Illustrator: Gloria Felix

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Something Happened

Fictional stories based on real-life, common experiences help explain sensitive, important events happening in communities across the US and around the world. Told in clear, compelling stories for young readers, the books come with the authority of psychological… View available downloads →

Awards

  • NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, Winner, 2023