Streets of Gold [Paperback]

Marie Raphael (Author), Jerry Sena (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

A Polish girl comes to America at the turn of the century in this fast-paced historical novel about the immigrant experience.

It's 1901. Marisia and her family flee Poland ahead of the czar's soldiers. But when they arrive at Ellis Island, Marisia's younger sister is diagnosed with tuberculosis and she and her parents are turned away. Now, with only her wits and her courage to guide her, Marisia and her brother Stefan must find their way in the New World alone. Streets of Gold is Marisia's story--the story of a spirited young girl who dreams of becoming an artist. Can she overcome the hardships of immigrant life on New York's Lower East Side, the struggle to find work, and the tyrannical views of those who stand in her way? If one dream dies, can she find another dream to live by? Deftly written, rich with historical detail, and illustrated with period photographs, Streets of Gold "will carry [you] to another time and place....Readers won't want the story to end" (Diana Pardue, Ellis Island Immigration Museum).

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-9-Fleeing Poland, where Stefan, the oldest son, has deserted the Russian czar's army, the Bolinski family goes first to Rotterdam, and then boards a ship bound for America. Once they reach their destination, the youngest child is refused entry because she has tuberculosis. The girl and her parents return to Rotterdam while Stefan and his sister Marisia remain, experiencing life in New York City's Lower East Side. Raphael's style and plot development are smooth and engaging and the pacing is consistent. The characterization is competent, and there is adequate integration of historical material, enhanced by period-related photos. Streets of Gold provides useful insight into cultural diversity, U.S. immigration, and living conditions at the turn of the 20th century.
Adrian Renee Stevens, Beaver Creek School, West Jefferson, NC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

[W]ill carry [you] to another time and place....Readers won't want the story to end. -- Diana Pardue, Ellis Island Immigration Museum --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Persea Books (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883088054
• ISBN-13: 978-1883088057
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,987,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Emigration & Immigration

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching story!, July 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Streets of Gold (Paperback)

I visited Ellis Island, which is where I picked up this treasure. As you read, you feel a part of this young girl's life, including the struggles while immigrating and the joys in creating a new life in America. My grandparents immigrated to the US and are now unable to tell me about their experience. I was touched by this book because I could imagine what my grandparents' experience was like via the story of Marisia. The author used sources from Ellis Island and the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, so the images are accurate and detailed. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys learning about the past and understanding the plights of other cultures and people in the world. A real treasure!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, October 8, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Streets of Gold (Paperback)

Streets of gold was a great book of a young girl's story of how her and her family came to America and of their hardships.If you are interested in ellis island and stories of immagrants coming to America this book is for you!