Books for Immigration Lesson Plans
Books about Immigrants for Gr. 3-5
17th Century to early 20th century

		Journey to Ellis Island: How My Father Came to America   Summary: 11-year-old Yehuda and his family trek from Russia across Europe, then board a ship for America, only to be denied entry at Ellis Island. Will they have to return to Europe? Stunningly illustrated with large paintings, period postcards, and real pictures of Yehuda's family (based on a true story). A beautiful book to use in immigration lesson plans. Rdg Levels:  Interest--all ages   Difficulty--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson plan ideas, DRA/Lexile, etc
		Naming Liberty by Jane Yolen Summary: Two stories intertwine as a Russian- Jewish family emigrates to America and French artist Frederic Bartholdi creates the Statue of Liberty. "Burke's luminous paintings...convey the landscapes and details of 19th-century" life. (Bklst) Rdg Levels:  Interest--Gr. 1-3    Difficulty--age 4-8 Coming Next: lesson plan ideas, DRA/Lexile, etc
		When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest Summary: 13-year-old Jessie leaves her small European village for America, endures the long sea voyage, and finds a new life for herself in America. Large, stunning paintings depict life at that time and effectively convey Jesse's emotions. "Particularly useful for units on immigration..." (SLJ) Rdg Levels:  Interest--Gr. 2-4  Difficulty--age 4-8 Tchrs: More on When Jessie Came Across the Sea

		Peppe the Lamplighter by Elisa Bartone Summary: A dramatically illustrated story about life in NYC's Little Italy around the turn of the century and a little boy whose job as a lamplighter helps him 'save' his sister and gain the respect of his father. The illustrations are full of period detail and in many, "play of light from the streetlamps and kerosene lamps is especially striking." (SLJ) Rdg Levels:  Interest--Gr. 2-5  Difficulty--age 4-8 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		Sofia's Immigrant Diary (My America series) Summary: Suggest this series when teaching immigration lesson plans! The My America series is virtually always a hit with kids! This three book series centers on young Sofia and her Italian family, who have recently immigrated to America. Hope in My Heart--Finally at Ellis Island, Sofia is separated from her family and put under quarantine! She is scared but at least she has a new friend. Home at Last--Sofia describes the struggles her family and other immigrants are facing, but also describes the helped of a kind teacher and doctor. An American Spring--Sofia continues her journal, writing about her best friend coming to live with them and the new store her parents are opening. Reading Levels: Interest Level-- Gr. 2-5     Difficulty Level-- age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		Landed by Milly Lee Summary: Based on a true story, 12-year-old Sun studies hard to be able to answer questions correctly to prove he's his father's son and get into America. Upon arrival he is detained for a month due to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. In a starred review, Booklist said the book was "poignant...[with] beautiful, full- page oil paintings...packed with feeling." Reading Levels: Interest Level--Gr. 3-5    Difficulty Level--age 4-8 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		At Ellis Island: A History in Many Voices Summary: In 1910, a 10-year-old girl named Sura has escaped the Armenian genocide and writes to her mother about her journey to America, where she will join her father. Beautiful paintings depict conditions on the crowded ship, the landing and interrogation, and finally seeing Papa. The book includes quotes from other immigrants and also portrays a girl visiting Ellis Island in modern times and thinking of her great-great-grandmother who immigrated long ago. A powerful book to use in immigration lesson plans. Reading Levels: Interest Level-- Gr. 3-5   Difficulty Level--age 4-8 More Coming: lesson ideas, DRA & Lexile, etc
		American Girl Rebecca, 1914  Immigrant NYC in 1910s -- *Six Book Series* Summary: Nine-year-old Rebecca Rubin and her family have recently immigrated to America from Russia and live on the Lower East Side of New York City. This six book series depicts Rebecca's life in her new community, with windows into her Jewish culture as well as the challenges and joys that faced early immigrants at the turn of the century in America. Reading Levels: Interest Level-- Gr. 3-5   Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...

		Under Copp's Hill (History Mysteries series) Summary: In 1908 Boston, many immigrants live in tenement housing in the North End, including 11 year old Innie who belongs to a club that help immigrants adapt to life in America. Then items start disappearing and Innie and her cousin see a strange light in the basement. Is it a ghost or is it a thief? The mystery will keep students reading, and in the process they will learn a great deal about early immigrant life. Reading Levels: Interest Level--Gr. 3-6     Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		The Journal of Finn Reardon: A Newsie, New York City Summary: Full of Irish slang and "characters [that] leap off the pages" (SLJ), this is a really fun read aloud to pair with immigration lesson plans. Finn and his family struggle to get by, just like the other immigrants in their New York neighborhood. To earn money, Finn works as a newsie hawking newspapers, but when the publishers raise the prices newsies must pay, the boys join together and strike. "For fans of the series, this title will be a highlight." (SLJ) Reading Levels: Interest Level--Gr. 4-7     Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse Summary: Based on the author's own family history, Letters from Rifka would be a great classroom read aloud to accompany immigration lesson plans. The book tells the story of a Ukranian family bound for America who must leave a daughter, Rifka, behind because she contracts ringworm and is denied passage. Rifka eventually recovers, makes the hard journey alone, and reunites with her family at last. The story is told though the letters that she sends. Reading Levels: Interest Level-- Gr. 4-7   Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		Beyond the Western Sea books Series of Books Summary: A family of poor Irish immigrants prepare to sail to the New World from England in the mid- 19th century, along with a runaway son of an English lord. This series records their life before departure, their adventures on board, and their struggles in their new country. The Escape From Home (Book 1)--Patrick, 12, and his sister, Maura, prepare to reunite with their father in America alongside a new friend named Laurence. Lord Kirkle's Money--The journey continues in book 2, beginning on board the ship to America, and then continues upon arrival in the New World. "Will keep most readers on the edge of their seats." (PW) Reading Levels: Interest Level--Gr. 4-8     Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady Summary: Orphan Margaret Ann feels like she has been given the experience of a lifetime when she is chosen to be the traveling companion of an American woman sailing to America aboard the Titanic. Margaret Ann's brother lives in New York, so she excitedly accepts the offer. In her diary she records her observations about everything she sees, from details of the ocean liner to the famous people on board to the events leading up to the disaster.  Reading Levels: Interest Level--Gr. 4-8    Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...

		Dreams in the Golden Country The Diary of Zipporah Feldman Summary: Young Zipporah and her family have recently arrived in New York City, and she is eager for them to get settled and fit in. In her journal, she writes about her frustrations with her mother's unwillingness to shed some of their traditional Jewish traditions, about the family's experiences at Ellis Island, and even about a friend of hers who died in the Triangle Factory fire. Reading Levels: Interest Level-- Gr. 4-8   Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		Tenement Immigrant Life on the Lower East Side Summary: Known for his well-executed photo essays, Bial has turned his attention to the tenement housing of New York's Lower East Side, creating a photographic journey that transports readers back to the crowded, often unsanitary conditions of turn of the century New York (although most large cities had their own counterparts.) This book provides an interesting window into the era, and given its relatively short length and large photographs, it would be a compelling read aloud for immigration lesson plans. Reading Levels: Interest Level--Gr. 4-8     Difficulty Level--age 9-12 More Coming: lesson ideas, DRA & Lexile, etc
		Immigrant Kids by Russell Freedman Summary: "A refreshingly un-woeful introduction" (Kirkus) to the lives of immigrant children living in New York City around the turn of the century. Fascinating photographs are paired with personal recollections of work, play, school and family life. A very handy resource for immigration lesson plans. Reading Levels: Interest Level-- Gr. 5-8     Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		The Journal of Otto Peltonen: A Finnish Immigrant Summary: Finnish-American teenager Otto describes his life at the turn of the century in a small Minnesota mining community. America is nothing like he expected; the conditions for poor immigrants are harsh, and the work is hard. In his journal, Otto records his thought and observations life as a poor immigrant in America, the miner's strike his father participates in, and his mother's struggle for women's suffrage. Reading Levels: Interest Level--Gr. 5-10     Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...
		Shutting Out the Sky: Life in the Tenements of New York 1880-1924 Summary: Hopkinson transports the reader back to the turn of the century New York City tenements in this brilliant and moving history of early immigration in America. Balancing broad discussions with five personal stories, Hopkinson has created a book that will make young people "want to know more and to research their own family roots." (SLJ, starred review) Reading Levels: Interest Level--Gr. 5-12      Difficulty Level--age 9-12 Coming Next: lesson ideas, DRA and Lexile, etc...