Coming to America: The Story of Immigration [Hardcover]

Betsy Maestro (Author), Susannah Ryan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Combining warm prose with child-friendly watercolor illustrations, an introduction to the history of immigration to the United States offers young readers a perspective on the heritage that all Americans share.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Clearly tuned into her audience, Maestro (The Discovery of the Americas) offers a neatly distilled overview of U.S. immigration, covering extensive ground without oversimplifying. She astutely makes each reader a part of her story, stating, "All Americans are related to immigrants or are immigrants themselves." Referring to the arrival of the first Americans many thousands of years ago, the author emphasizes that there were millions of inhabitants by the time Columbus "discovered" America. She describes the many waves of settlers from European countries, the grim horror of the slave trade ("Instead of finding freedom, these Africans lost theirs"), the ordeal of inspection at Ellis Island and the ongoing stream of refugees who take shelter in the U.S. for a variety of reasons. Ryan's (Darcy and Gran Don't Like Babies) busy, expressive watercolor art makes it easy for readers to share both the anxiety and exhilaration of the individuals it so vividly depicts. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?An introductory history of immigration from thousands of years ago through the present, focusing on why different groups of people came to America and how they became a part of our national heritage. Maestro points out that when Christopher Columbus "discovered" the Americas, millions of people were already living on these continents. Different perspectives are incorporated into the text, including the harsh treatment Indians received and the forced immigration of Africans. The various laws that the U. S. has adopted to control immigration are explained. A brief history of Ellis Island is included. The colorful, exuberant watercolors show men, women, and children of all nationalities. Most of the scenes are hopeful or festive, although one illustration of a crying child being held back from a relative who was rejected at Ellis Island is upsetting. A table of dates provides a quick summary of immigration highlights. A useful overview of a complex issue, attractively designed and clearly written.?Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590441515
• ISBN-13: 978-0590441513
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Betsy Maestro is the author of the "American Story" series, illustrated by her husband, Giulio. She has also written several other non-fiction picture books, including the Let's-Read-And-Find-Out science books How Do Apples Grow? and Why Do Leaves Change Color?
The Maestros live in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightens children about a difficult to understand topic, January 5, 2009

By 

Michael Strassberg (Lawrenceville, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coming to America: The Story of Immigration (Hardcover)

This book is very good because it helps elucidate the unique challenges that immigrants from foreign countries face when they come to the United States. Children who are born and raised here have difficulty grasping the very real issues of language barriers, culture shock, social isolation and the great effort that is required to overcome these difficulties. The book helps to increase the child's sensitivity to, and appreciation for, the great achievements that immigrants make in their adaptation and integration into American society. The book discusses the great contributions that immigration has made to the strength and cultural diversity of our nation. It is an eye-opener for kids, and I highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book, July 5, 2010

By 

K. Mcdermott - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Coming to America: The Story of Immigration (Hardcover)

I bought this for a unit on immigration that I was teaching. Great pictures and good text. The students learned a lot and enjoyed me reading it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Presents the evolving immigration history of the United States to the primary grade student, October 5, 2009

By 

American Immigration Council's Community Educ... (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coming to America: The Story of Immigration (Hardcover)

From the first nomadic groups, to the colonial settlers, to the Africans forced into slavery, to those seeking refuge from throughout the world, the character of our nation was forged by immigrants as each group enriched the diversity of our nation. Coming To America presents the evolving immigration history of the United States to the primary grade student, exploring the factors that brought each group to America as well as their impact on the development of our nation. Vivid illustrations by Susannah Ryan bring the immigration experience to life and will appeal to primary grade students. The chronology of immigration, notes on immigration today, and other interesting facts included in the back of the book will enhance a young child's understanding of the subject.