FICTION
Dreams in the Golden Country
- Dreams in the Golden Country is the diary of a young Russian immigrant girl name Zipporah Feldman. She came to America when she was twelve. In her diary she tells what it is like for her the first few years in America. Her two sisters and she have many dreams. Most of Zipporah's are about what she wants to be. Read this book and you will be able to find out what her dreams are and what her new life in America is like.
- ACTIVITY: Write about a dream you have had.
- Pretend that you are Zipporah Feldman. Give a report to the class as her.
When Jessie Came Across the Sea
- In a small village there was a girl named Jessie. She lived with her grandma in a small village. The rabbi had a ticket to America and gave it to Jessie. She sailed on the ship and met a boy named Lou. Later they married. Will Grandma be able to attend the wedding?
- ACTIVITY: Write a journal as if you were Jessie about her trip on the ship.
Nary's Story
- Nary came to America from Cambodia with his grandfather and uncle. They came because there was a war in their country. Nary saw many changes in America, but some things stayed the same. Read the book Nary's Story to find out what the changes were and what stayed the same.
- ACTIVITY: Write about a change you had to make. Did you like it? Why or why not?
- Find out more about Cambodia by visiting the site Royal Cambodian Embassy.
Molly's Pilgrim
- Molly and her family were Russian immigrants. Molly wanted to go back to New York where the kids didn't make fun of her. Mama says they can't go back because the conditions in New York were too bad. There were girls in Molly's class make fun of her and say "Jol-ly Mol-ly your eyes are awf'ly small. . . " The teacher Miss Stickly asked the children to make Pilgrims and Indians for their Thanksgiving display. Molly has to make a Pilgrim. If you want to find out what happens, you can read the story.
- ACTIVITY: Make a Pilgrim doll from your heritage.
The Bracelet
- The book The Bracelet is about a girl named Emi. Emi and her family are Japanese-Americans. The get sent to a prison camp because America is at war with Japan. Before Emi leaves her best friend gives her a bracelet. When Emi gets to the camp her bracelet is gone. Read to find out if she finds her bracelet.
- ACTIVITY: Make a friendship bracelet. Friendship bracelet instructions.(Click here)
Angel Child, Dragon Child
- Everyone in Ut's family came to America from VietNam except her mother. Ut goes to an American school and the kids tease her. She sees snow for the first time. Read the story to find out why it is called Angel Child, Dragon Child.
- ACTIVITY: Visit this site developed by second graders titled Vietnam, A Children's Guide.
Dreaming of America, An Ellis Island Story
- Dreaming of America is an historical fiction story about an immigrant named Annie Moore. She came to America with her brothers. They came on a ship from Ireland. Her parents have been in America for three years. Annie Moore was the first immigrant to enter the new Ellis Island processing center.
- ACTIVITY: Visit this site about the real Annie Moore's tribute.
- This site offers an activity for students visiting the Museum at Ellis Island but would also be great for students to do after studying immigration.
Grandfather's Journey
- Allen Say's grandfather made a journey to America from Japan. He landed in SanFrancisco. He came back and forth. He got married and moved back to Japan to raise his family. He always wanted to return to America.
- ACTIVITY: Please take time to visit this site which we enjoyed about Allen Say.