This book is the story of four nonnative children's acculturation into an American elementary school, as seen by the author, the teachers, the parents, and the children themselves. The book states that some of the challenges stem from linguistic barriers, but that others are cultural issues so endemic that neither the teacher nor the student is fully aware of their impact. The book asks whether there is some kind of underlying pattern of acculturation that the four students (from Norway, Brazil, Russia, and Bulgaria) share, and what is the role of the school and the classroom teacher in the process. The book is intended as a resource for any teacher or administrator with students from diverse cultures, since it sheds light on the cultural adjustment these students must make, on the values teachers hold and students bring with them, and on theoretical and practical ways to reach across cultures. A glossary of terms and recommended reading resources conclude the book. (NKA)