Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story
| Modern Age |
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 Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story
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American History > Modern Age > Jewish History
Gittel and her mother were supposed to immigrate to America together, but when her mother is stopped by the health inspector, Gittel must make the journey alone. Her mother writes her cousin’s address in New York on a piece of paper. However, when Gittel arrives at Ellis Island, she discovers the ink has run and the address is illegible! How will she find her family? Both a heart-wrenching and heartwarming story, Gittel’s Journey offers a fresh perspective on the immigration journey to Ellis Island. The book includes an author’s note explaining how Gittel’s story is based on the journey to America taken by Lesléa Newman’s grandmother and family friend.
Emily's Review
Gittel and her mother are fleeing the dangers of Europe around the turn of the century, but due to an eye infection, her mother cannot accompany her. Gittel journeys across the sea to a new country all by herself, despite being a child. I love books like this. I'm always interested in reading immigration stories. I think it can be easy to forget that America is a country made of and built by immigrants. Gittel's story isn't unique - many Jewish children were sent away for safety, or to be able to create a better life than their parents could give them in Europe. Stories like this are important because though this picture book is set more than 100 in the past, children and families are still fleeing dangerous situations to find safety and hope in America.
This gorgeous picture book is a great way to open a discussion about your own family history.
Other Similar Books
Other suggestions on the subject of Jewish Immigration.
- Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story (by: Newman, Lesléa, Jewish Immigration, Ellis Island, LE, MG)
- Letters From Rifka (by: Hesse, Karen, Jewish Immigration, MG, UMG)
- A Sky Full of Song (by: Meyer, Susan Lynn, Jewish Immigration, Westward Expansion, MG, UMG)
- The City Beautiful (by: Polydoros, Aden, Gilded Age, Jewish Immigration, Chicago World's Fair, YA, A)
- Anya's War (by: Alban, Andrea, WWII, Jewish Immigration, YA)
- Rebel Cinderella: From Rags to Riches to Radical, the Epic Journey of Rose Pastor Stokes (by: Hochschild, Adam, Jewish Immigration, Rose Pastor Stokes, YA, A)
- The Last Rose of Shanghai: A Novel (by: Dai Randel, Weina, WWII, Jewish Immigration, A)