Lost in the Empire City

by Avi

Overview

Newbery Medalist Avi is back with a gripping exploration of the immigrant experience at the turn of the twentieth century. A must-read for fans of Moon over Manifest and Echo Mountain.

When Santo’s father left their tiny town in Italy for America, he made Santo promise to keep their family together until he has enough money to bring the rest of them to the US.

It takes a few years, but Mama finally gets word that their family can join Papa. Santo couldn’t be more excited to go to America—and to see his father again. However, Santo gets separated from his mother and siblings at Ellis Island, and he is left to fend for himself on the mean streets of Manhattan. Santo doesn’t speak English, he doesn’t know anyone, and he has nowhere to go. He has no money and no help.

While searching desperately for a clue as to where his family has gone, Santo gets caught up with a gang of boys who steal to stay alive. But when an unexpected betrayal leaves Santo scrambling, it will take all the street smarts he’s gained to find a way back to his family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063086951
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/29/2024
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.93(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Avi is the award-winning author of more than eighty-two books for young readers, ranging from animal fantasy to gripping historical fiction, picture books to young adult novels. Crispin: The Cross of Lead won the Newbery Medal, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing but the Truth were awarded Newbery Honors. He is also the author of the popular Poppy series. Avi lives in Denver, Colorado. Visit him online at avi-writer.com.

Date of Birth:

December 23, 1937

Place of Birth:

New York, New York

Education:

University of Wisconsin; M.A. in Library Science from Columbia University, 1964

Website:

http://www.avi-writer.com

Editorial Reviews

★ 07/22/2024

After five years apart, 13-year-old Santo Alfonsi, along with his mother and siblings, leaves his small Italian village home to join his father in 1910 America. Upon his arrival following a wretched ocean journey to New York City, Santo is separated from his family and must make his way alone in the unfamiliar, crowded metropolis. Determined to discover his loved ones’ fates but lacking the resources to do so, he falls in with the Downtown Dukes, a child street gang, and encounters danger at every turn. Santo counts himself fortunate to be saved from potential imprisonment by wealthy, kindly Mr. Ashbury—until he finds out that Mr. Ashbury is a thief of higher caliber than the Downtown Dukes. Now Santo must extricate himself from a life of crime before it’s too late. Atmospheric and richly detailed, this historical adventure depicts the chaos and confusion of early-20th-century N.Y.C. through the eyes of an inexperienced yet capable narrator. Avi (The Secret Sisters) maintains a razor-sharp level of tension, desperation, and claustrophobia as Santo narrowly escapes danger time and again in his quest for his family and a place to belong. Ages 8–12. Agent: Gail Hochman, Brandt & Hochman Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

2024-08-03
Separated from his family while immigrating to America, a teenage boy must learn to survive in New York City.

When Santo Alfonsi was about 8, he promised his father he’d care for his family until they could all be reunited in America. Five years later, following an arduous journey from their Italian village, Santo’s mother, brother, and sister are detained at Ellis Island. Officials send Santo ahead, but when the ferry arrives, his father is nowhere to be found. With no money and little knowledge of English, Santo is left to fend for himself until a child gang leader takes him under his wing. Together, they commit petty crimes, until a chance encounter with a wealthy gentleman changes Santo’s fate. Welcomed into the home of the affluent Ashbury family, Santo glimpses the prosperous America he’s dreamed of. Still, his goal remains firm: to find his family and honor his promise to his father. Avi guides readers through Santo’s immigration journey, capturing the hopeful belief in an America paved with gold, the perilous Atlantic crossing, and the harrowing experience at Ellis Island that leads to Santo’s struggle on the streets. In a world where he has little control, Santo strives to navigate his way. Early-20th-century New York City comes to life through vivid descriptions of its people, smells, and sounds. The first-person narrative deepens the immersive experience.

A gripping tale of one young immigrant’s resilience and determination. (author’s note)(Historical fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

As with Avi's other historical titles, the pacing is brisk (filled with increasingly perilous situations) and tension builds.”   — Booklist

From the Publisher