Ellis Island New Hope in a New Land by William Jay Jacobs

For years in the early 20th Century, Ellis Island was the initial stop for immigrants entering the United States and Mr. Jacobs presents a well laid out history and explanation of the people who came through there.   Not a long book, this non-fiction book includes a lot of pictures of immigrants within the buildings on Ellis Island and going through the process to enter our wonderful country. 

It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words and in the case of this book, that is so true.  Each page includes photographs depicting the step being discussed which helps children and tweens grasp the complex issues behind gaining entry into the United States before the days of fax machines, passports, airplanes, etc.  

Very few tweens today can imagine getting on a ship and sailing across the ocean without even knowing if they will be allowed entry.  Heavens, most children can't even imagine not getting the newest hot toy or ipod, etc.   For these immigrants, they were seeking a new life with better circumstances and better opportunities.

An older book, the information presented here is still valid and important for children of all ages to know and understand.  Well written, with good photos, the author and publisher did a great job of putting an adult topic into a tween age reading level without losing the important aspects of the subject matter.

Age level: 8 to 12

Jacobs, W. J. (1990). Ellis Island: new hope in a new land. New York: C. Scribner's.