Immigrant Children

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

Illustrated throughout with vintage photos of young immigrants from every corner of the globe, this well-researched hardcover book describes the massive waves of immigration hitting the United States shore in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Young readers will find much to relate to in the text, as it focuses on the experiences of the youngest newcomers in search of the American Dream. The book traces their journey across oceans, their passage through the 'golden door' of Ellis Island (and lesser-known ports of entry), as well as the myriad joys and challenges of 'starting from scratch' in a strange new land. By understanding these massive waves of immigration from past times, young readers may be able to better relate to the continuing influx of new immigrants to our country in search of freedom, security and prosperity. The book ends with advice on how children can research their own family's or community's immigration past. Included are a wealth of resources--suggested activities for parents and teachers to use in deepening student learning; a lengthy bibliography of books and web sites devoted to the issues of immigration; a glossary of unfamiliar, new words; complete index; and a timeline of key events and government legislation pertaining to America's immigrant past. A great introduction to the topic, one that makes the era and its people come alive for today's children. 2000, Carolrhoda Books/Lerner Publishing Group, Ages 8 to 10, $22.60. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-Taking a highly visual approach, King allows young readers the opportunity to learn about the painstaking steps involved in transforming lives from slavery to freedom. The focus is on the children, their work, their families, and their treatment before and after emancipation. One sepia photo per page is accompanied by one or two paragraphs of text. While the pairing of text and photos is a strength of the volume, a few statements are simplistic: "All kinds of `let's pretend' games allowed slave children to use their imagination and creativity," and "Brer Rabbit tales taught them how to avoid danger." The appendix offers an explanation of the Emancipation Proclamation, a description of the Freedmen's Bureau, and an annotated list of further reading. Immigrant Children explores the lives of those who arrived "hungry, bruised, and hopeful" at the turn of the century; many found work in the mines, others farmed or worked in factories, but all struggled to improve their lives under often difficult conditions. The sepia photographs on each page focus on scenes of children and families arriving in this country, and at work and home. These pictures and the informative text offer a view of the past that will provide students with an awareness and appreciation of our cultural diversity. The appendix provides suggestions on how to explore family history through interview, research, and photographs.-Patricia Mahoney Brown, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|