An Ellis Island Christmas

The Petrowski family set out for America in this lovely picture-book examination of the immigrant experience, hoping to be reunited with the father and husband who preceded them. Young Krysia, who narrates the tale, must endure many hardships, from choosing which possessions will make the journey with her (and which must be left behind), to the cramped quarters and frequent seasickness, on the ocean voyage. When the family arrive in New York Harbor, and get their first glimpse of Lady Liberty, it is Christmas Eve. Processed through Ellis Island, they spend their Christmas waiting for Papa to arrive...

According to the dust-jacket blurb, Maxinne Rhea Leighton, who made her authorial debut with An Ellis Island Christmas in 1992, and who show more does not appear to have written anything else thus far, was affiliated with the Ellis Island Museum of Immigration restoration project - a background that has clearly paid off, as her narrative, in addition to being well-written and engaging, feels authentic and believable. I entered fully into Krysia's feelings, mourning with her as she left all she knew behind, and rejoicing when she was finally reunited with her Papa. The artwork, done in watercolor by Dennis Nolan, is immensely appealing, capturing the emotional resonance of the story. This is just a lovely, lovely book, one that I recommend to young readers (advanced picture-book level and up) who are interested in immigrant stories and/or unusual Christmas tales. show less

During slavery, Ellen's parents could only marry using the broom that is mounted on their wall. They jumped over it and into a new life together. In this rare story from the Reconstruction period in US history, we follow Ellen as she accompanies her parents to their legally recognized marriage ceremony and learns the history of the family broom.

In my opinion, “An Ellis Island Christmas” is a fantastic picture book that reveals a powerful message about an immigrant child’s journey to America. One of the best parts of this story is its plot. The story tells of a young Polish girl who has to leave everything she is familiar with (her home, her town, and most of her belongings) to go to America with her family for a better life. The story tells about the harsh adventure the family has to go through. The family has to tread through snow and travel on an awfully long ship ride. The plot is very suspenseful from the family’s departure in Poland to their arrival in America. For example, when the family finally arrives, the girl states, “Mama ran and pulled us to the deck. show more She pointed and said, ‘Look! Look! It’s the Lady. The Statue of Liberty. We’re in America. America!’ and there it was.” The writing is organized to separate the plot into its individual components. The illustrations are also organized in this way to properly correspond with what is happening in the story. The illustrations consist of remarkable, professional paintings that instantaneously hook the reader. The story challenges students to broaden their perspectives to learn about the struggles that other children have to go through. The story teaches readers that they should be more welcoming to immigrants in their community. The big idea is to teach young readers about immigrants and the passage to America. show less

A Polish family decides to go to America, where the father has already gone and prepared a home for them in New York. The mother, two brothers, and daughter pack their things, taking only what they can carry and begin walking to the sea port. They walk for days before they reach the ship. Once to the ship they are packed on with thousands of others in search of a new life in America. The trip was long and hard, two weeks of rough waters and inadequate facilities. The boat began to get close to America, and all of the travelers could see the statue of Liberty. Everyone was ferried off the boat to Ellis Island, where each immigrant had to supply a passport and go through a medical examination in order to be admitted into America. All the show more members of the family go through the examination and went to the great hall to wait for their father. Santa Claus was in the great hall greeting immigrants near a Christmas tree, the little girl was excited that Santa came to America too. She fell asleep and when she woke up; her father was there, completing her American dream.

I enjoyed this book; I felt it was a good way to learn about immigration. The book really gives an in-depth look at why immigrants came to America, what they felt, as well as the horrible conditions they had to survive in order to make it to America. The history of Ellis Island is also portrayed, showing why Americans felt it was important to have an immigrant check station. I believe children would enjoy this book and learn about immigration, and retain the information better then a text book.

1.) Have children make a list of all of the things that they would carry with them to America. Remind children they can only take what they can carry, also that they will need clothing and food.
2.) Children will receive a list of the medical examination in order to see if they would pass the requirements for Ellis Island in order to come to America. show less

This is about a family who leaves Poland for America, where their Papa is already waiting with a home in New York. While she is packing her belonging in a bed sheet, saying her goodbyes and walking for days to the ship her heart is sad. Once on the boat they slept on beds close together made up of straw that cows eat with no pillow. They ate cold, salty soup and dry, white bread. After the waves grew bigger they were forced to the dark bottom of the ship. They finally reached Ellis Island the day before Christmas. After showing their passports and being put through a detailed physical examination they were escorted to a hall to wait for her Papa. She was able to fall asleep after seeing Santa Clause and an American Christmas Tee. She show more awoke to her Papa and said goodbye to Ellis Island and hello to her new home in New York.

This book shows what some people went through to come to America. It helps give the children a since of pride in their country, in that people would leave theirs to come to ours. The struggles and sacrifices they made but still shows the children a happy ending. It is well written and beautifully illustrated.

1.An introduction to a history lesson specifically for Ellis Island.
2. An introduction to an immigration lesson. Let the students cut and paste what they would take with them in a bed sheet. show less

Krysia and her family come from Poland to meet her father in America. She becomes overwhelemed with a variety of emotions on her voyage across the ocean and makes friends with other passagers. This is historical and nonfictional because during these times, fathers had to move to make money for thier familes.

A nice reminder that the US is a nation of immigrants. Excellent artwork.