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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked this sweet story written in letters. I love historical fiction and this was a engaging, quick read.
From our shelves, but I don't think it's a re-read. On a Hesse kick mostly to avoid starting anything longer. A journey book from Russia to Ellis Island. One of many it seems. This one is from a young Jewish girl who ends up alone in Belgium for a time. To a large degree it avoids the horror of the times. Rifka experiences typhoid and ringworm and losing her hair. But she also learns Polish and Flemish and English and has chocolate and ice cream.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a revisiting of a book that I read when I was a child and it has held up remarkably well over the years. It was this book that sparked my interest in European history and kept it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has an interest in historical fiction whether they be young or old. I don't know about the veracity of the events, but it gripped me from start to finish.
Even though I knew the details from reading this in middle school, it really touched me. The stories of the immigrants of our nation are so powerful. Absolutely cried (happy tears) through the ending.
*** In this historical fiction novel the reader is taken back in time to 1919 to follow a young girl’s journey from Russia to America. The story is written as a series of letters from the main character Rifka to her cousin Tovah who is still in Russia. The story was interesting but I wasn’t riveted like I have been with the last few books I’ve read.
Rifka is fleeing from Russia with her parents and two of her brothers Nathan and Saul. Russia is no longer a safe place to be Jewish and Rifka’s three other brothers who are already living in America have sent enough money for the family to come over. Things become difficult when the family comes down with Typhus and they are forced to stay in Poland longer then they planned. Then Rifka comes down with ring-worm and is unable to travel to America with her family. Will she recover and make it to America? Will she be reunited with her family?
Rifka is a twelve year old girl who has to grow up and gain some independence. She learns things quickly especially languages.
Saul is one of Rifka’s brothers. He is sixteen and a bit full of himself. He is very strong and healthy. He does not always get along with Rifka.
This book addresses prejudice, tolerance, survival, growing up, family, immigration.
Karen Hesse based this book on her Aunt Lucy’s account of her journey to America. There is an author’s note at the beginning that explains this and a historical note at the end that gives the reader more information about Russia in 1919.
Rifka is fleeing from Russia with her parents and two of her brothers Nathan and Saul. Russia is no longer a safe place to be Jewish and Rifka’s three other brothers who are already living in America have sent enough money for the family to come over. Things become difficult when the family comes down with Typhus and they are forced to stay in Poland longer then they planned. Then Rifka comes down with ring-worm and is unable to travel to America with her family. Will she recover and make it to America? Will she be reunited with her family?
Rifka is a twelve year old girl who has to grow up and gain some independence. She learns things quickly especially languages.
Saul is one of Rifka’s brothers. He is sixteen and a bit full of himself. He is very strong and healthy. He does not always get along with Rifka.
This book addresses prejudice, tolerance, survival, growing up, family, immigration.
Karen Hesse based this book on her Aunt Lucy’s account of her journey to America. There is an author’s note at the beginning that explains this and a historical note at the end that gives the reader more information about Russia in 1919.
hopeful
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No