Customer Reviews

Ellis Island (Cornerstones of Freedom)

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I do not know what percentage of the American citizenry is descended from someone who walked on Ellis Island as an immigrant, but there is no question it is very high. This is a fact that is repeated whenever there is a debate in the United States over immigration policy. In that capacity, Ellis Island is a companion symbol to the Statue of Liberty, in that it was the second place that most immigrants related to.
This book, written at the level of the elementary school child, gives a simple, effective demonstration of what happened on that island. The immigrants, largely illiterate regarding the United States, came to the country speaking little or no English, and often with little in the way of monetary resources. Most also came from countries where the governments had great power over the people, who were largely powerless.
The one significant and powerful message from this book is how bright the American beacon of hope and opportunity was for the immigrants. Despite all their fears and uncertainties, in all cases their hope dominated and while they struggled, nearly all succeeded in making a better life. That is why Ellis Island will forever be a landmark and a symbol of hope and opportunity.

Using this kids'book as a reader for adult literacy classes is
great! It reveals many things that most have not heard nor realized. I found it shocking the way that illnesses were tracked. A huge H written on ones' coat meant they were a heart patient, Sc meant scalp problems, etc. The most dreaded was a large X which indicated a mental patient. They were asked personal questions such as how much money they had and if they could read or had ever been in prison. Sometimes all but one member would be accepted and the family had to decide what to do.

Obviously, most came looking for a better life but the trip over the ocean was dangerous, long and uncomfortable, since there were three classes on the voyage and most immigrants could only afford the cheap, bottom of the boat cramped quarters. Many got ill and died. Varied languages caused further loneliness.

Families were often split up forever, it was not an easy thing to decide to come to America. Most would never be able to visit their motherland again..ever. Around 2% of the total were sent back home and this fear was with each immigrant that made it alive to Ellis Island.

They were told NOT to tell anyone they had a job waiting, for this was against the international laws and they would be punished. If all went well, their stay on Ellis Island was about 5 hours.

Since most immigrants were poor and had no money to get further than New York City, it quickly became a melting pot for Italians, Germans, Irish, Jewish and Polish. It was said one could tell where you were in the city just by opening your window at mealtime and smelling the spices and dishes from each country.

Learning English and integrating into American life came easier for children than adults. Most adults clumped together in small areas according to language and heritage, shopping at familiar stores and cooking and eating familiar foods.

Ellis Island was eventually shut down, then reopened and restored and is now a museum. For many, the most important letters they saw were those on the door that said "PUSH TO NEW YORK CITY" and they did.