Tuesday, June 19, 2007

3. Immigrant Kids by Russell Freedman


Nonfiction Book Annotation
By: Angela Wilcox

72 pages

Freedman, R. (1992). Immigrant kids. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Author Creditability: Mr. Freedman got the idea for this book from the photographic exhibition, “Street Kids: 1864-1977” held in 1978 at the New York Historical Society. This event observed the 125th anniversary of the Children’s Aid Society in New York City. He also lists several people and museums that helped him obtain the photographs for this book.

Summary: This book takes place during the late 1800s and the beginning 1900s when European immigrants came to America. This book tells of the horrible conditions they encountered coming to America. It tells about the process' they had to go through once they reached Ellis Island and what they were faced with, if they were lucky enough to make it through the inspections. The book then goes on to describe the terrible living conditions they were faced with, what little schooling the children received, how young children had to find jobs to help out with family expenses, and what they liked to play when they had time to do so. The book then goes on to describe the terrible living conditions they were faced with, what little schooling the children received, how young children had to find jobs to help out with family expenses, and what they liked to play when they had time to do so.Most Important Access Features: This book is a photographic essay that uses photographs to validate what the author is informing you of. It contains a very easy to read and follow table of contents, preface, and acknowledgements. The preface provides background information for the reader on immigration along with who took the pictures and how they were taken. The acknowledgement informs the reader of where the author got the idea to write this book and how he got the photographs.

Description of Illustrations: Photographs were used in this book from various photographers of this time frame. Mr. Freedman obtained the photographs from the following: American Museum of Immigration; Children’s Aid Society; International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House; Library of Congress; Louis N. Freedman; Museum of the City of New York; and Staten Island Historical Society.

Grade Level & Uses: This book would be good in the upper elementary grades through middle school. I would use it to help teach immigration and what all people endured to get a chance to live in America.

Standards: Fifth Grade Social Studies 1. Examine the historical development of the United States of America.



Related Texts & How Related: These books could be used along with this one to teach immigration.
If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis Island by Ellen Levine
Coming To America: The Story Of Immigration by Betsy Maestro
I Was Dreaming to Come to America: Memories from the Ellis Island Oral History Project by Veronica Lawlor

Quality/Awards:

Personal Response to Book: I found this book very compelling and I opening. I was captured by the photographs and the message this book portrays. I never knew how bad immigrants had it and how hard it was on them to try to come and live in America. This was a huge eye opener for me and made me very thankful for how easy we have it now.

1 comment:

Debbie Vanderford said...

I have read two of Russell Freedman's books: Kids at Work and Children of the Great Depression. I loved both of them although they are very depressing. I plan to read this book, as well.