Synopses & Reviews
Ellis Island was the gateway to America and the promise of freedom for thousands. Its walls are rich with stories. Its walls are rich with stories. In this book we hear myriad of those voices. First we follow a young person today. Her great-great-grandmother entered America through Ellis Island. As this young girl walks the halls of the famous site, she wonders about the past, the people, and their hopes, dreams and challenges. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Here, too, is the voice of Sera, an Armenian girl from the early 1900s. Fleeing the unthinkable in her home country, she longs to join her father in America. As Sera enters the halls of Ellis Island, she andlt;iandgt;livesandlt;/iandgt; those same hopes, dreams, and challenges. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; The voices of real immigrants -- their suffering in steerage, their first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, and their journey through the Great Hall -- complete this touching look into an important part of America's history. A pivotal time and place is brought to life through a combination of many voices speaking in harmony.
Review
* andquot;Equally evocative and informative, this is an excellent choice for middle school libraries.andquot;
andmdash;School Library Journal, starred review
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* andquot;Carefully researched and clearly written.andquot;
andmdash;Booklist, starred review
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andquot;This is a clearly written account of a lesser-known side of American immigration history that may add to readersand#39; understanding of current political debate.andquot;
andmdash;Horn Book
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* andquot;As immigration continues to be a major issue in America, this introduction to the Angel Island experience is overdue and, most of all, welcome.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus, starred review
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* andquot;A thorough narrative, with personal vignettes and bandw archival photos. . . . Making this poignant account even more so are translated poems interspersed throughout, written by despairing detainees on barrack walls.andquot;
andmdash;Publishers Weekly, starred review
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andquot;Most spreads feature one or more photographs, slightly oversized text, and generous margins, making this an appealing selection for readers who find nonfiction daunting.andquot;
andmdash;The Bulletin
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andquot;Freedmanandrsquo;s book uses clear narrative language to pay tribute to the thousands of souls who passed through this prisonlike entryway, [Angel Island].andquot;
andmdash;VOYA
Synopsis
An account of "the other Ellis Island"and#8212;Angel Island, California, the entry point for one million Asian immigrants in the early 20th century.
Synopsis
Angel Island, off the coast of California, was the port of entry for Asian immigrants to the United States between 1892 and 1940. Following the passage of legislation requiring the screening of immigrants, "the other Ellis Island" processed around one million people from Japan, China, and Korea. Drawingand#160;from memoirs,and#160;diaries, letters, and the "wall poems" discovered at the facility long after it closed, the nonfiction master Russell Freedman describes the people who came, and why; the screening process; detention and deportation; changes in immigration policy; and the eventual renaissance of Angel Island as a historic site open to visitors. Includes archival photos, source notes, bibliography, and index.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Louise Peacockandlt;/bandgt;, who has always been interested in history, took a PhD in medieval studies before turning to children's liturature. Her first book, andlt;Iandgt;Crossing the Delawareandlt;/iandgt;, was inspired by a trip with her son to Washington's Crossing. The book, also told in many voices, was praised by andlt;Iandgt;Booklistandlt;/iandgt; with a starred review.At Ellis Island continues this unique method of historical exploration. Dr. Peacock lives in Haslett, Michigan.andlt;bandgt;Walter Lyon Krudopandlt;/bandgt; was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1966. He had his first painting lesson when he was eight years old and later studied illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York. He has illustrated a number of books for young readers, including andlt;Iandgt;The Good-Night Kissandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;Iandgt;Wake Up, Little Childrenandlt;/iandgt; by Jim Aylesworth; andlt;Iandgt;Black Whitenessandlt;/iandgt; by Robert Burleigh; and andlt;Iandgt;Crossing the Delawareandlt;/iandgt; by Louise Peacock. He lives with his wife, Sara, in New York City.