Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breath free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door! Emma Lazurus, 1883 America’s Top 10 National Monuments Tanya Lee Stone    Interesting facts, maps, and beautiful color photographs make this a nice introductory reference book. Each of the monuments is shown in a large color photograph facing easy-to-read entries. Bulleted boxes offer highlights and fun facts about the monuments. The sites chosen for selection in this book include some Washington D.C. favorites as well as the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore and Mesa Verde National Park. Designed to stimulate further interest, this book includes a glossary, reading list, and a section on where to get online information. This book is part of a series of ten titles, including America’s Top 10 Rivers, Top 10 National Parks, and Top 10 Natural Wonders.1998, Blackbirch Press, Ages 7 to 12, $13.95.Reviewer: Dia L. Michels ISBN: 1-56711-194-7 Annushka’s Voyage Edith Tarbescu Illustrations by Lydia Dabcovich    Carrying precious gifts from loving grandparents, Annushka and Tanya leave their Russian homeland to join their father in America. The young sisters are intimidated by the size of the steamship, the crowded conditions in steerage, and the violent rocking of the ship during a storm. But they cling to each other until the day the ship approaches the New York Harbor. The excited crowd on deck separates the girls, until Annushka, "like the Statue of Liberty holding her torch," raises her grandmother’s Sabbath candlestick. They make it through the dreaded medical examination at Ellis Island and are tearfully reunited with Papa. Tarbescu’s account of her mother and aunt’s journey to America is both straightforward and poetic. Dabcovich’s fine illustrations lend authenticity, with period details like kerchiefs, fur hats, and embroidered aprons. The youngest sister is often shown clutching the doll Grandpa gave her. An author’s note explains why so many Jews were forced to leave Russia at the turn of the century. This descriptive account of an immigration experience will make a fine complement to the social studies curriculum. 1998, Clarion, Ages 8 to 12, $15.00. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 0-395-64366-X Building Liberty: A Statue is Born Serge Hochain     Using four boys in different settings, this book tells of the construction, transportation aboard ship, the raising of extra funds to pay for the base, and the erection of the Statue of Liberty. Leo is apprenticed as a gofer in the master metalsmith Gaget's workshop and begins to understand how the armature will support the copper sheathing. In fact, he even gets to hammer some of the hot sheets over the wooden shaping molds. Next, Fanch in his log recounts how the boxes come aboard the Isere and how the ship has to take on extra coal to carry this much weight. Then, Ben, a grandchild of slaves, sells newspapers in New York and meets Mr. Pulitzer, owner of The World, who exhorts the newsboys to urge common people to donate money for the raising of the pedestal on which the statue will rest. "Tell the people that Liberty is not a present from the people of France to millionaires but a present from the French people to the American people!" Last, Angus, an ironworker assists in fastening the parts to each other and Angus stands proudly in the torch, moved by this gigantic creation, an effort of so many people. Page design allows readers to study many details in several pictures and to see behind the scenes while a three-page end section shows step by step how the statue was built, from initial sketches and molds to the building of the pedestal. Adult readers may wince at the "Wow" that escapes Leo's lips and wonder that he looks to be 11 or 12, later about 17, and at his section's end, about 11 again. Of the three boys with fathers (Fanch is an orphan), the two white fathers are wealthy or gainfully employed, while Ben's father sings a song to the family and plays his banjo after Ben has come home from his hard day of work, a subtle suggestion, but of what? That African American men couldn't find work but their young sons could? That this father is a ne-er-do-well content to let his son work while he plays the banjo? Those quibbles aside, Hochain has fashioned a friendly and approachable look at the famous statue for a slightly younger reader than Lynn Curlee's more factual and straightforwardly informational Liberty (Atheneum, 2000). His watercolor and sketched illustrations beg to be studied and the sharp eye is rewarded by many small details that advance the telling without getting in the way. 2004, National Geographic, Ages 8 to 12, $16.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler ISBN: 0-7922-6765-6 The Cat Who Escaped from Steerage Evelyn Wilde Mayerson    Most families who have emigrated to the U.S. have stories to tell about their shipboard journey. This tale is one such story that the author calls "A Bubbemeiser," a grandmother’s tale. Chana, 9, is determined to smuggle the scrawny cat she found before boarding the ship to America. She is also the "voice" for her cousin Yaacov who can not hear nor speak. Is Chana clever enough to be Yaacov’s advocate at Ellis Island? This warmhearted story is sure to stir others to tell their own "bubbemeisers." 1990, Simon and Schuster, Ages 6 to 9, $15.00. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman ISBN: 0-684-19209-8 The Copper Lady Alice Ross and Kent Ross Illustrated by Leslie Bowman    Eleven-year-old André is a Parisian orphan who is fascinated by the work on the Statue of Liberty. Each day he hurries to finish his job delivering coal to help out and to watch the work of the coppersmiths on "the Lady." When the statue is completed and ready to be shipped to New York City’s harbor, André decides to stow away on the ship to pursue a better life in America. But when a fierce storm strikes the ship and threatens to destroy parts of the Lady in the hold, André must reveal himself to save her. The illustrations complement the well-written text and together give a personal touch to the historical events behind this American landmark. 1997, Carolrhoda Books, Ages 8 to 12, $12.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney ISBN: 0-87614-934-4 ISBN: 0-87614-960-3 Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story Eve Bunting Illustrated by Ben F. Stahl    Annie Moore and her brothers have lived with her aunt an uncle while their parents work in America. Finally, after three years they will be traveling across the Atlantic to once again become a family. The crossing for those who travel in steerage is not very pleasant, but it is made more bearable through the kindness of another emigre Viktor Kirschenblatt from Russia. The story of Annie's voyage and her first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is movingly told by Bunting. Annie was actually the first immigrant to enter America through Ellis Island and little is know about the rest of her life except what is mentioned in the afterword. The illustrations by the artist are wonderful and the insets of actual photographs make the story even more real. 2000, Bridgewater/Troll, Ages 6 to 12, $5.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-8167-6520-0 ISBN: 0-8167-6521-9 An Ellis Island Christmas Maxinne Leighton Illustrated by Dennis Nolan    It’s not geography, but time that helps young readers envision another kind of Christmas. This is the story of six year old Krysia who leaves the hunger and military control of Poland to join her Papa in America. America, a place of food, flowers and freedom, sounds like "a fairy tale" at first. Krysia soon discovers that leaving means saying goodbye and choosing between her two beloved dolls. Travels begin with a long walk, continue on a crowded, dark, stench-ridden boat and end in a confusion of differing languages, foods, and currency. Krysia arrives at Ellis Island on Christmas Eve and is comforted by kind people, her mother’s surprise of her second doll and finally her Papa’s arrival. Illustrator Nolan brings alive the era with careful renderings of the clothing and an honest reflection of the range of human emotions. 1992, Viking, Ages 5 to 8, $15.00 and $4.99. Reviewer: Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-670-83182-4 ISBN: 0-14-055344-4 Ellis Island: Doorway to Freedom Steven Kroll Illustrated by Karen Ritz    The story of Ellis Island and how it became the entry point for more than 16 million people between 1892-1954 is a dramatic one. Steven Kroll presents the facts in a rich, readable style that children will understand. The illustrations add immeasurably to children’s appreciation of this "gateway" to a new life. Ms. Ritz uses pencil and watercolors to create the effect of the original photos. The faces of the people, hopeful yet frightened, tell their own story which is ongoing. 1995, Holiday, Ages 6 to 10, $15.95. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman ISBN: 0-8234-1192-3 Immigrants: A Library of Congress Book Martin W. Sandler    This large format, nonfiction book consists of a fascinating array of photographs, paintings, drawings and charts, in color and black and white, from the Library of Congress’ collection of visuals dealing with immigrants to the United States. Short chapters address many aspects of the immigrant experience, including Ellis Island, city streets, pioneers and immigrants today. While most of the information is conveyed through the wonderful illustrations, the brief text, which is enriched by many short quotes from real immigrants, does a good job of organizing and clarifying the visuals. An index and note about the Library of Congress are included. This book should prove useful and entertaining to a wide range of readers. 1995, HarperCollins, Ages 7 up, $19.95 and $20.89. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan ISBN: 0-06-024507-7 ISBN: 0-06-024508-5 Island of Hope: The Story of Ellis Island and the Journey to America Martin Sandler    Sandler is a master at blending pictures and the tales of people to reveal historical stories. He succeeds once again in his latest book. It was inspired by his grandfather, a Polish immigrant whose broken English at first embarrassed young Martin. But when Sandler, as a youth, interviewed his grandfather, he saw him as a hero, who like millions of others “risked everything they had to build new lives for themselves and their children.” Martin tells his readers that, “It is estimated that more than 40% of all American citizens can trace their ancestry to those who came through Ellis Island.” If this fact does not spark interest, the vivid black and white pictures and individual accounts will. The text and photographs create a distinct picture of the disparity between first class and steerage passengers and the difference between life in famine-filled Ireland and life later in America. The most powerful part of the book comes when Sandler points the lens of his historical camera directly at life at Ellis Island. His focus is clear and precise. His details and examples portray the poignancy of the place, the time, and the people. Personal stories show the fear immigrants felt about the dreaded eye disease or about being turned back for lack of money. They found the new language, the new money, and the new food confusing. The author includes compassionate stories of people who were kind to detainees and of happy reunions at a landmark called the “Kissing Post.” The book’s strong emotional quality is complemented by surprising statistics. For example, for a time, the Ellis Island hospital was the largest medical facility in the world. During sixty years of operation some 350 babies were delivered there. 2004, Scholastic, Ages 10 up, $18.95. Reviewer: Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-439-53082-2 Journey to a New Land: An Oral History Kimberly Weinberger Illustrated by Tony Meers    Elda is a young girl living with her large family in Italy. The date is 1916 when her father and brother sent enough money for the family to buy tickets to bring them to the new country. As recounted in other immigrant stories, the crossing for passengers in steerage was awful. The people were crowded together in unsanitary conditions and frequently were not even allowed on the decks. Elda and her family were fortunate, they arrived safely and were in good health so they quickly cleared immigration at Ellis Island. The family worked hard and prospered, although her father died at a very early age. Elda's story is one of many that have been collected by the Ellis Island Oral History Project and it is one that young readers will find interesting and perhaps make them realize how fortunate they are to also be living in America. 2000, Mondo, Ages 7 to 10, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 1-57255-811-3 Journey to Ellis Island: How My Father Came to America Carol Bierman Illustrated by Laurie McGaw    Yehuda, the author’s father, must prove that he is strong enough to be allowed to enter New York. He must run around Ellis Island not once but twice! The photographs and hand-colored postcards of the era add authenticity and make this journey vivid and memorable. It is a gem for social studies and family oral history programs. The story of his immigration to America in 1922 is a universal one. 1998, Hyperion, Ages 8 to 12, $17.95. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman ISBN: 0-7868-0377-0 Land of Promise Joan Lowery Nixon    Strong fictional characters can help history can alive for young adults. In this first of a new series of immigrant stories, Ellis Island, Nixon tells the story of 15-year-old Rose Carney who comes to Chicago from Ireland only to discover that her father is an alcoholic, her mother has died at home, and her brother is associated with the Blackhands. Through Rose, readers will meet historic people like Jane Addams and gain a vivid sense of immigrant life. 1994, Bantam, Ages 11 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-553-08111-X Letters from Rifka Karen Hesse    This story is based on Hesse’s great-aunt Lucy’s own experiences. In 1919, Rifka, 12, and her family flee Russia but Rifka has contracted scalp ringworm and is detained in Belgium where she must undergo treatment while the others are allowed to emigrate to the U.S. This is a coming of age story with a strong, intelligent, undaunted heroine. Later, her detainment on Ellis Island allows her to develop compassion for someone she considers an enemy. Told in letter format to her cousin Tovah, the spare style is powerful. Don’t miss this! 1992, Holt/Puffin Bks, Ages 11 up, $14.95 and $3.99. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman ISBN: 0-8050-1964-2 ISBN: 0-14-036391-2 Liberty's Journey Kelly DoPucchio Illustrated by Richard Egielski     The Statue of Liberty is certainly one of the symbols most frequently associated with American. It was the sight of this large statute that greeting millions of immigrants to the United States and the torch symbolizing the light of hope for a better life. In this almost surreal story told in poetic verse-Lady Liberty decides to take a look at the country to better understand "the people who had come and gone." Artist Egielski has given the statue facial expressions that match the emotions she is feeling as she begins her tour across the land. In a mix of words from "America the Beautiful," Lady Liberty searches for "amber waves of grain," she hears from the grandchildren of immigrants who passed by her many years ago as she continues "'cross the fruited plain" and completes her journey from "sea to shining sea." Her absence is of course noticed and the people of New York write letters urging her to return to her home which of course she does. It is an unusual mix of reality and fantasy and may not be appreciated as much by children as adults who have the context to understand the play off the song and poem "America the Beautiful" and know the history of the Statue of Liberty. The authors note tells about the statue's history and also reprints the poem at the base-- "The New Colossus." 2004, Hyperion, Ages 4 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7868-1876-X The Memory Coat Elvira Woodruff Illustrations by Micheal Dooling    Leaving behind the comforts of home isn't easy in the best of circumstances, but for Rachel and Grisha the risks are compounded. Their Russian town is being overrun by the Cossacks, who will kill all the Jewish residents. At the same time that the family is enduring a frightening journey to America, Grisha is going through his own turmoil as he is confronted with cutting the remaining ties he had to his deceased mother. The two story lines seem to compete for the reader's attention, each deserving its own book. Woodruff has attempted to create a picture of the emotional hardships that war causes, but may have tried to include too much for this picture book format. Students will need some background information on Russian history and culture, immigration and Ellis Island to understand the story. Oil on canvas illustrations capture the sadness of the characters and the bleak surroundings. Grisha's story has a happy ending, but the reader is left wondering what lies ahead for the immigrant family. Author's notes explain how the story was inspired. 1999, Scholastic Press, Ages 10 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Carol Lynch ISBN: 0-590-67717-9 My Grandmother’s Journey John Cech Illustrations by Sharon McGinley-Nally    With a wiggle of her toes and a few words addressed to her feet, the narrator’s grandmother begins her tale, a story "full of twists and turns like a path through the woods." Starting on a cold December day when she was a small girl, Grandmother takes us through life in Russia before and after the Revolution, past World War II, and into Ellis Island. It’s a warm, uplifting, often touching story of adversity overcome that is made even more poignant by the vivid Chagal-like paintings that so precisely capture the mystery and magic of the narrative. An interesting addition to the history bookshelf. BIBLIO: 1998 (orig. 1991), Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 to 9, $5.99. REVIEWER: Armin A. Brott ISBN: 0-02-718135-9 ISBN: 0-689-81890-4 A Picnic in October Eve Bunting Illustrations by Nancy Carpenter    This is a picture book about a New York City family’s bus and ferryboat ride to attend their Grandmother’s annual October birthday party on Liberty Island, home of the Statue of Liberty. We see and hear young Tony as he struggles to make personal sense of his family’s ritual event. To Tony, the whole performance is too far, too cold, and just plain too embarrassing--until he understands why. Art and text present a strong three-generation family supporting their matriarch. Tony comes to realize the value of family in the trip to Grandmother’s birthday picnic. Art depicting harbor vistas and "zoom ins" of family faces make a satisfying storybook whole. BIBLIO: 1999, Harcourt Brace, Ages 6 to 12, $16.00. REVIEWER: Carolyn Dennette Michaels ISBN: 0-15-201656-2 The Ring Lisa Maizlish    This story, all photos and no text, takes a kid who is bored while on a walk in Central Park on a flying adventure after he finds a ring on the ground. Thanks to computers, we see photos of the little boy as he flies over Manhattan, wings by the Statue of Liberty and finally touches down in the park again. The photographs are beautiful, and it is a story that is amusing and entertaining and invites repeated viewing. An interesting use of both black & white and color photography. BIBLIO: 1996, Greenwillow Books, Ages 3 to 8, $15.00. REVIEWER: Kristin Harris ISBN: 0-688-14217-6 The Statue of Liberty Susan Ashley Art by Tammy Gruenewald     One hundred years after the Revolutionary War, France gave the United States a birthday gift to represent freedom and friendship between the two countries. It is one of the largest and most famous statues in the world: a woman bearing a torch and wearing a flowing robe. Ashley describes Lady Liberty's conception, creation, and unveiling on Liberty Island in 1886. Black and white photos document the ten year efforts of designers Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi and Gustav Eiffel (who later became famous for building the Eiffel Tower). The text emphasizes a message of welcome and hope for people coming to the U.S. It concludes with a short glossary and index, and cites resources for more information about visiting New York Harbor. There is also a short table of facts about the relative height and width of the statue's eyes, fingers, etc. A volume in the "Places in American History" series, the book offers patriotic insight on this historic gift from France. 2004, Weekly Reader Early Learning Library, 4 to 8, $18.60. Reviewer: Tina Dybvik ISBN: 0-8368-4143-3 ISBN: 0-8368-4150-6 For more information on the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, click here. 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