Product Description

Describes, in question and answer format, the great migration of immigrants to New York's Ellis Island, from the 1880s to 1914. Features quotes from children and adults who passed through the station.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #204345 in Books
• Published on: 1994-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 80 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780590438292
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Despite the book's somewhat misleading title (only two pages are devoted to the practice of changing names), Levine ( I Hate English! ; If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King ) offers a comprehensive, well organized discussion of the immigration procedures followed at Ellis Island between 1892 and 1914. One- or two-page chapters offer concise answers to questions ("What did people bring with them?'; "What happened if you were detained?"; "How did people learn English?"), enabling youngsters to digest easily a significant amount of information. Facts about the many rigorous routines and tests (medical, legal, literacy) that new arrivals endured are peppered with the intriguing personal reminiscences of individuals who lived through them. Sometimes sharply focused, sometimes effectively hazy, Parmenter's acrylic paintings admirably evoke the period, as well as the anguish and joy that characterized the bittersweet Ellis Island experience. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Arranged in Q&A style, this survey of earlier immigrations asks: ``Did all immigrants come through Ellis Island?'' (no); ``Did you have to have a job waiting for you?'' (again, no; in fact, it was not allowed). It's evident that America has always been a polyglot magnet--even in 1643, 18 languages were spoken in one colonial area. It's also evident that there's been long-standing prejudice against certain immigrants (ability to read was required for entrance, and first and second class arrivals didn't have to sweat it out at Ellis Island). Perhaps most interesting here are the individual stories: the name change in the author's own family; the child who had never seen a banana and ate it whole; the ``six- second'' medical exam. Levine (If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon, 1986) gives multiculturalism an extra boost by ending with a sampling of words and other contributions from many heritages. Nostalgically warm impressionistic paintings, suffused with sepia, simultaneously signal suffering and hope. (Nonfiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About the Author
ELLEN LEVINE's award-winning books are Henry's Freedom Box, Freedom's Children, winner of the Jane Addams Peace Award and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; and Darkness Over Denmark, a Jane Addams Peace Award Honor Book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She lives in New York City and Salem, New York.

Customer Reviews

Brings back an almost forgotten era
When my niece (from L.A.) first came to New York, she was seven years old. I took her to the rehabilitated Ellis Island, and she was (for a seven year old) fascinated to learn that her great grandparents along with millions of other immigrants had stepped across that pier and became Americans. For Christmas, I sent her this brilliant book.

"If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island" by Ellen Levine answered many of the questions that I could not. She sent me back a glowing thank you note, and told me her teacher loved her book report on this book. Eventually, I picked up the book for myself. Guess what? For many first-, second- or third-generation Americans this book answers a lot of questions from that nearly forgotten era, and of that generation of people who helped America as they helped themselves. This is a great testimony to Ms. Levine and illustrator Wayne Parmenter to their well-planned book.

Rocco Dormarunno
Author of The Five Points

Terrific Book!
This is a very concise and informational book about immigration in the early 20th Century. I learned a lot from this book and suspect my students will too.

Good Historical Nonfiction
Ellis Island was the main immigration port for the United States from the 1890s to the 1910s. This children's book outlines the process for immigrants coming to America: where they left from, the journey, arriving at Ellis Island and following procedures, and what they did after they left the Island. The book structure follows a question and answer structure, answering good questions like what the immigrants brought with them, how their names may have been changed, and what happened if they didn't speak English. It also shows the perspective of the immigration agents, which was especially interesting to me- to process the amount of people they had coming in, they gave a "six-second medical exam" to determine for any contagious diseases and mental defects. The books also talks about some agents who would let people slip by with a kind smile and good wishes. The illustrations seem dated, and the book would really come to life with better renderings, but it's interesting to see the view of New York coming from across the Atlantic, and to see the Grand Hall where immigrants split up to go either into New York or for quarantine. The amount of information and text make this book more appropriate for an older child, but would be perfect as research for a project on immigration or family history. [...]