Just Loved Reading:
My America: Home at Last, Sofia’s Immigrant Dairy, Book Two
Middle Grade Novel
Lasky, Kathryn. My America: Home at Last, Sofia’s Immigrant Dairy, Book Two. New York: Scholastic, 2003.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
EMMA LAZARUS
Sofia Monaris is released from quarantine on Ellis Island and moves to Boston’s North End with her family.
She learns a new language and slowly adjusts to a new culture and way doing things. Learning a new language means going to an American school, making new friends and adjusting to new teachers.
Sofia makes friends with a fellow Italian-American and joins one of their social clubs. In the meantime, Sofia’s older sister and younger brother have adjustments of their own to grapple with.
Her family encounters the good and bad in Boston’s Italian-American family. Her parents work hard to make ends meet but take advantage of any and all opportunities that come their way.
When near tragedy strikes Sofia, her courage and spunk carry the day.
WHY I LOVED READING THIS BOOK:
Sofia is a spunky character who could probably survive many difficult situations and it was easy to relate to her and her adventures in America.
Further Reading:
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island:
https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org
Italy:
www.italia.it
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