The Journal of Otto Peltonen: A Finnish Immigrant, Hibbing, Minnesota, 1905

After his family emigrates from Finland to Minnesota, Otto Peltonen and his father work in the dangerous iron ore mines of the Mesabi Range. There, in the face of discrimination from the foremen, who accept bribes for the prime mining spots, Otto and his father take part in the beginnings of the labor unionization.

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

Summary: In 1905, fifteen-year-old Otto describes in his journal how he travels from Finland to America, joining his father in a dreary iron mining community in Minnesota while becoming involved in a union fight for better working conditions.

Personal reaction: Having been born in Minnesota myself, I was naturally intrigued by this book. Having read this in the fifth grade, I had learned very little about the life and conditions of immigrants coming to America (least of all an iron-mine worker). At a young age, this book expanded my global view while also piquing my interest in the history of American immigrants.

Classroom extensions: I would love to have my class engage their families to discover their personal history of immigration show more while encouraging them to share this with the class. show less

Very good book. It really opens your eyes as to what some people had to go through not even hundred years ago and how hard life was for them. I would read this again and recommend it. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Otto leaves Finland with his family to join his father in Minnesota. Minnesota is not what he has expected- the mines are a hard place to work for his father, and he's in constant danger. Their home is a three-room shack (not nearly as nice as in Finland) and it's hard saving up enough money to get a farm. In the end, however, they succeed and escape the mines (which had an unsuccessful strike).

good - Michael

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