Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story

Title: Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story

Author: Eve Bunting

Illustrator:  Brad Stahl

Publishing Company: Troll Communications

Copyright date: 2000

Number of pages:  32

Genre: historical fiction

          I chose this book because I really liked the pictures.  I was looking for a good historical fiction to add to my collection, and to use for this assignment.  I have always liked immigration stories.  Typically, they are inspiring tales.  For the most part, even in many hardships the main character, usually based on a real person, thrives.  This story is based on Annie and her two little brothers traveling to America.  They have been living with their aunt and uncle in Ireland for the past three years.  Their parents are already in America. They send tickets for the children to join them in America.  The children are sad and scared to leave their home, family and friends.  They travel to America by boat; the children meet a very nice Russian man, Viktor, on the way to America.  The children are set to be part of the first group of immigrants to arrive through the new Ellis Island processing station.  This story tells an account of their journey in third class accommodations, storms and snobby people.  Annie and her brothers were the first to be processed at Ellis Island. 

       

   The pictures are done in water colors and pastels.  They are intentionally left a little less clear, at times, for effect.  The artist makes good use of vibrant blue and purple colors.  The entire book’s pages are done in a yellowed beige color; almost as if trying to give them an aged look. The text set-up is a mostly informal.  The words are placed directly over the pictures on most of the pages. 

          This book would be good for students in the 2^nd or 3^rd grade.   The label says grades 2-4.  I would say that it would be a great history book to use when talking about immigration.  It could be used in science to talk about the weather in the ocean. It could be used to talk about America in the 19^th century.  I would also use it as a motivator to get students to read about history.  I would also use it to encourage them to read in general.  This book has won the International Reading Association’s Teacher’s Choice Award.