Dreaming Of America: An Ellis Island Story [Hardcover]

Eve Bunting (Author), Ben F. Stahl (Illustrator)

Book Description

Annie Moore cares for her two younger brothers on board the ship sailing from Ireland to America where she becomes the first immigrant processed through Ellis Island, January 1, 1892, her fifteenth birthday.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-On January 1, 1892, her 15th birthday, Annie Moore of Cork, Ireland, became the first immigrant to enter the United States through the new facilities at Ellis Island. This fictionalized account describes her voyage across the Atlantic on the SS Nevada with her two younger brothers to join their parents in New York after a three-year separation. Shipboard life in their third-class accommodations, the welcoming ceremony upon landing, and the emotions of the children are described in text and illustration. Despite a somewhat posed, static quality, the realistic illustrations are effective and rich in vibrant blues and browns. Set on flecked, beige paper, they often spill onto the second page of a spread. On several occasions, they are paired with reproductions of archival photographs and records, including the ship's passenger list with the names of the Moore children. An afterword gives what little information is known about Annie and includes a photo of her with her firstborn child. A solid account of a journey that many immigrants made at the turn of the century.
Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Annie Moore was the first Irish immigrant to be processed on Ellis Island, and she landed there on her fifteenth birthday in 1892. Based on her story, this picture book follows the classic immigrant pattern: the scary leavetaking of loving relatives; the long, difficult journey, with Annie caring for her two younger brothers in a cramped cabin; and, finally, the reunion with parents who had gone ahead to find a place. The full-page illustrations are a little glossy and glamorous (not a scarf or button out of place, even when the kids are huddled in steerage), and Annie's character is idealized (she never says an irritable word), but the long text is packed with information that will interest many readers, both for school reports and for the connections with their own family stories. The occasional period photos and prints--of the ship's passenger list with Annie and her brothers' names; of the Annie Moore statue in Ireland--add authenticity to this drama of ordinary people on a hard journey home. Hazel Rochman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Troll Communications (January 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816765200
• ISBN-13: 978-0816765201
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ellis Island's First Immigrant - An Irish Teenager, February 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dreaming Of America: An Ellis Island Story (Hardcover)

15 year old Annie Moore,with her younger brother, came by boat from Ireland to join their parents in America. Good illustrations and text tell the story of their emotional departure from Cobh, County Cork, their long journey across the ocean, and the Russian immigrant who befriended them aboard ship and assured that Annie would be the first one to be processed through Ellis Island. Today a statue of Annie is at both Cobh, Ireland and at Ellis Island, marking the beginning of a new day for all immigrants to America.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreaming of America, March 1, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dreaming Of America: An Ellis Island Story (Hardcover)

Dreaming of America

Eve Bunting wrote the original copy of the true story Dreaming of America. This book is for kids in their middle childhood. The book was published by Bridge Water Paperbacks.
The main character is a girl, who is from Ireland, who's name is Annie. Annie and her two brothers, Philip and Anthony, are on their way to America on the SS Nevada. I have missed my mom and dad just like in the book. The most interesting thing in the book is Annie's 15th birthday present. The least interesting thing in the book is when Annie doesn't let Philip do something in their cabin.
I like this book because there are no unanswered questions or problems. I especially liked this book because they went to America on a boat! That's why I think you should read this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, September 6, 2001

By 

Jeremy (Berea, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreaming Of America: An Ellis Island Story (Hardcover)

This book is wonderful. The story is a classic example of the pain and hardship of coming to America. The graphics are beautifully done and combine both drawings as well as real pictures of the period. It brings the history of the period to life. Highly recommended.