A House of Tailors

This is a small, but mighty young adult book that realistically portrays the belief that immigrants have of America and the streets of gold, compared to the reality of some of the hardships endured when they come to the new land.
Dina's family is hard working. When her father dies, Dina uses the skills learned from her mother to help the family.

Living in Germany in 1870, she is mistaken for being a spy for the French. Her sister was slated to come to America, but now Dina must use the coveted ticket instead to save her life. Hoping that she does not have to work as hard, and certainly does not have to sew, she learns that she lives in a "house of tailors." Her Uncle hopes for a better life than his can currently give his family living show more in Brooklyn, NY.
Thus, Dina is required to sew, a talent she thought she hated.

Yet, when she begins to assimilate into her American family, she risks all in order to be instrumental in helping her new family.

This is yet another book written by an excellent author who portrays history in a very realistic manner. show less

Historical fiction middle grade novel, A House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff, is based on the life of the author's great-grandmother, Dina.

Dina, in 1870, at age 13, emigrates alone from Germany, leaving her mother, sister and younger brothers behind in order to live with her uncle and his family in Brooklyn, NYC.
In Germany, Dina's worked as a seamstress/tailor along with her mother and sister.
In Brooklyn, Dina experiences culture shock and unexpected trials.
I enjoyed Dina, who is feisty, makes mistakes, and doesn't give up on her dreams.

The afterword, about the real-life Dina and family, was especially interesting/heartening.

Dina, mistaken for a French spy and on the run from the Germany army, is sent to her uncle's in America for safety. It was supposed to be her sister Katharina making the journey. Dina's mother owned a sewing business which engaged her daughters as well. Dina looked forward to escaping sewing but soon found she must do so to earn money for passage back home. In the meantime she slowly adjusts to her new life. I will omit the rest of the story to prevent spoilers. It's a lovely story of immigrant life in in 1871-1872 New York. It's partially based on the author's great-grandmother's life although liberties, expressed in thee afterword, were taken. It's a story which should resonate with middle school girls interested in historical fiction.

Pretty good, but I had a few nitpicky issues with the sewing stuff (who would cut into silk without sewing a mockup first?!) also the book made a reference to ZIPPERS which wouldn't be invented for decades.

Historical Fiction account of a young girl, Dina, who is sent to America to live with her uncle after being accused of being a French spy in the 1870s. She has dreams of getting away from what she loathes, sewing, only to find out that once in America she is expected to do just that to help her family make ends meet. Dina learns about love, loss, family and finding where your place is, even if that means leaving things behind.

Dina hates sewing, but has a gift for it. When she is forced to leave Germany after being mistaken for a spy, she is at first happy to escape the endless sewing. However, upon her arrival at her uncle's house in Brooklyn, she learns that he is also a tailor, but poorer than her own father.

Readers get a glimpse of America in the 1800's, seen through the eyes of an immigrant.

Brief listen at three discs. Absorbing. Really liked the family members, as they were good at showing affection.