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Children's Literature
"Events that Shaped America" is the name of the series, and this text certainly does highlight Ellis Island and the immigration experience as one of those events that shaped American history. Time period pictures and quotes from immigrants who sailed steerage and had their first view of Lady Liberty as they sailed into the Upper Bay or New York Harbor are just a few of the reasons this text leaves a vivid impression on younger readers. As always, the series authors boldface interesting words and then offer, at the end of the text, a glossary to aid reader understanding. Unlike many of the other books in the Events series, there is less focus on those displaced by new arrivals to America and more focus on how the various immigrant groups positively impacted who we could be when defined as "American," even as their arrival set into motion tough immigration laws that eventually placed tight quotas on who could come into the U.S. The achievement of the text, though, is in how it allows young readers to know Ellis Island and the people who helped our newest citizens come to the U.S. The conclusion of the text discusses what happened to and on Ellis Island after it was officially closed in 1954, following years of little use because of tight quotas. Pictures and comments about the immigration Wall of Honor show the current status of the restored and reopened Ellis Island. An excellent read, whether for general interest or research purposes; and if research is the focus the "Time Line" as well as "Further Information," which has excellent Web choices, will be appreciated even more. 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing,— Jean Boreen
Overview
Describes the experience of immigrants on Ellis Island, where arrivals to the United States were ...