A Haitian Family (Journey Between Two Worlds) [Paperback]

Keith Elliot Greenberg (Author), Carol Halebian (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997 | Series: Journey Between Two Worlds

Chronicles the history of Haiti and the efforts of one Haitian family to emigrate to the United States and rebuild their lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-7. Unlike A Family from Bosnia and others in the Raintree Steck-Vaughn series, which shows families living in another country, books in Lerner's Journey between Two Worlds series deal with immigrants to America who are fleeing dangerous political or economic situations. In this series entry, the country they are fleeing is Haiti, and the story leading up to the arrival of Gregory Beaubrun's family to the U.S. is a painful one. Greenberg first outlines Haiti's colonial history, through the overthrow of Aristide, then follows with specific events (including beatings) that sent the Beaubruns to the refugee camp in Guantanamo Bay and eventually to New York. At the end of the book, the Beaubruns have settled in America, though they hope eventually to return to their home in Haiti. This series offers an excellent opportunity for teaching recent history, as well as a way to help American children understand new members of their communities. Susan Dove Lempke --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

The focus of this entry in the Journey Between Two Worlds series is not a family; instead, Greenberg (Magic Johnson, 1992, etc.) succinctly covers the history and politics of Haiti and how the latter has affected refugees, one family in particular. An introduction defines refugees and the different reasons for the displacement of people; it is seen as a complex problem with ``no easy answers.'' The history of Haiti is described, as are recent events there; the effect of these events upon Bazelais Beaubrun and his wife and four children is clear--thus, history comes alive. Readers learn of the family's persecution, the perilous voyage by flimsy boat to the US, detention at a Florida camp, and immigration to New York City. The city is not paradise; they live in a dangerous neighborhood and cling to connections with their Haitian community; Greenberg also presents the advantages of their new life, and it is telling that the family elects to stay in New York while a democracy is set into place in their homeland. A worthy and fascinating introduction to issues of politics, history, and sociology, the book has some flaws: occasionally choppy transitions, short shrift on customs and religion, and disruptive parenthetical explications of words, e.g., ``colony (overseas settlement)''; it's a patchy solution to the problem of addressing difficult concepts. For the most part, the quality of the illustrative material is clear and instructive; a painting of ``boat people'' at sea being rescued by a helicopter is heart-wrenching. (further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 56 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Pub Group (L) (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822597764
• ISBN-13: 978-0822597766
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,581,773 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.