Customer Reviews

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Somehow, I always have a fondness for beautiful picture books. I always feel that a children's picture book should be something of beauty that is timeless...something that we can all treasure but something that is especially written in the straightforward language that a child understands. This is certainly not one of those mediocre, trashily illustrated, dime-a-dozen children's book. It is the uplifting story of Jessie, a girl who comes to America to begin a new life. The language is simple but beautiful, and Jessie is someone who we can all love. And the illustrations...oh!!! They are so gorgeously realistic; especially the cover with its beautifully done painting of immigrants watching the Statue of Liberty as they arrive in America. Beautiful story, beautiful pictures...what more could you want? "When Jessie Came Accross the Sea" is the kind of book that every child should have.

This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the coming-of age story of a young Jewish girl in an eloquent historically-based fashion. Jessie, a poor Jewish girl in a land far away, lives with her grandmother in a small village. A letter is sent to the Rabbi of the village asking that he come to America. Feeling that he must stay with his people, the Rabbi sends Jessie as his representative. Young Jessie journeys to America and, over the next three years, writes her grandmother who still lives in the village to tell her of her many adventures.
The illustrations in this book, done in watercolor and guache, are so very realistic that even the most minute details ae brought to life. The text and the pictures form a cohesive partnership, even down to the placement of the text on the page and the font chosen as Jessie writes to her grandmother. While the beginning maintains the natural flow of a hallmark picture book, the text can, at times, jump from one setting to the next in one page turn with only a statement like "weeks pass" and "three years later". This leaves the readers to account in their own minds for the missing time when the timeline of the pictures and story is so crucial to the plot line. However, the undeniably impressive spirit of the illustrations definitely makes up for the somewhat jaunty feel of the text.
This book may be used with primary and intermediate grades in American History units involving discussions of emigration to the United States. Considering that this book holds and endorsement from the Jewish Museum of New York City for its historical authenticity, it may also be used in units that discuss the cultural diversity of the United States.

"When Jessie Came Across the Sea" is one of those books that stays with you long after you've read it. My daughters love the story and the illustrations are of a quality rarely seen in books meant for young children. My daughter received this outstanding book as a Xmas present and has shared it with both her first and second grade classes. Her teachers were struck by the sentimental text and both admitted to crying when they read it aloud to their classes. My daughter recently received a request from her first grade teacher regarding the possibility of her bringing it back to school this year so she can share it with her '98-'99 class! This book contains many positive messages for young minds, and I highly recommend it for all parents who wish to add a rare treasure to their childrens' libraries.

Hest, A. (1997). When Jessie came across the sea. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Synopsis: Young Jessie lives with her beloved grandmother in Russia during the World War I time period. Her grandmother has Jessie educated with boys to ensure Jessie's ability to read and write. Jessie attempts to teach her grandmother to read and write. Meanwhile, Grandmother teaches Jessie how to sew lace. When Jessie is chosen to go to America by the rabbi, Jessie is fearful of leaving her grandmother, who is her only family, to go to a strange new place called New York. Jessie makes the lengthy trip to America all alone. However, she makes the acquaintance of many other immigrants who are as frightened as Jessie. Jessie's favorite friend is a boy her age named Lou. After making the long daunting trip to America, Jessie finds that it is going to be hard work to save enough money to bring Grandmother to America. Jessie works hard and attends schools with the support of the rabbi's cousin. Several years later, Jessie meets Lou again in Central Park. After some time courting, Lou asks Jessie to marry him. Jessie replies not yet. She is waiting for the perfect time for their wedding. Readers cannot help the heart-felt connections that are found within this story.

Evaluation: Readers are incredibly drawn into this story of a young immigrant girl. Ann Hest presents the text on a stark white background surrounded by P. J. Lynch's exquisite watercolor and gouache illustrations. Many of Lynch's illustrations expand across a double page spread which leaves readers feeling the warmth of the sunset across the Atlantic, the wind blowing through Jessie's glorious red locks, or the mist blowing through the harbor early in the morning. Readers are instantly compassionate for the immigrants who left their homes and families behind in their native countries to come to America for a better life. Hest shows some of the struggles felt by young immigrant children. For example, Jessie, even though aged 12, had to begin school in the first grade. Starting immigrant children in the primary grades no matter their chronological age was a customary practice of educators during the early 20th century. Teachers will likely use this text while studying Immigration with students. Children ages 8-12 will love this story and be captivated by its illustrations. This is a MUST HAVE for any Immigration unit!

Even though it breaks her heart to be separated from her beloved grandmother, Jessie leaves her small town when she is offered a trip to America. She vividly describes the wonder of living in the new world and finding a new love. She works hard and uses her sewing skills to save toward purchasing a ticket for her grandmother.

This 1998 Kate Greenaway award winner uses lush paintings to portray a realistic setting of the story. The illustrations complement the story, but they are so beautiful that they almost overwhelm the story.

I enjoyed this beautiful story and its beautiful illustrations. Though at times heartbreaking, the story of Jessie and her trip across the sea to America is very inspirational.

My son really enjoyed this story of a young orphaned girl "chosen" (to her dismay) to leave her country and go to America by herself, leaving behind her grandmother. The pictures are excellent, and the story moves quickly. The story provoked frequent questions by my son such as: "Why did Jessie have to leave her homeland and her grandmother?" and "Why did the villagers think going to America was such a good thing?" Because Jessie was a child, my son identified with her. A beautiful story.

This book is about a young girl named Jessie and her grandmother. They live in Eastern European. One day, the Rabbi informs the villagers that his brother has died and left him one ticket to "the promised land." The rabbi does not want to leave his people and decides to give the ticket to 13-year-old Jessie. In America, Jessie follows in her grandmother's footsteps and becomes a dressmaker. She works for three years until she has enough saved to purchase another ticket--for her grandmother. I found this book to be very moving. Not only was it a touching story but the illustrations were breath taking. The author sends a wonderful message of bravery and strength. This is a great "coming to America" book.

Jessie is given a chance to change her life when the Rabbi in her village gives her a ticket to America. Leaving her grandmother is difficult but she is persuaded to go. She befriends many on the voyage across the ocean, mending their torn clothing and comforting many. Jessie successfully spends the next three years making lace as her grandmother taught her. The watercolor illustrations beautifully show Jessie as a young girl and then a young woman as she is reunited with her grandmother and a special friend from her ocean voyage. Luminous.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea teaches a lot about history. It explains about immigration. Immigration is moving from one country to another. Jessie immigrated from a small, poor village. She wasn't happy to leave her elderly grandmother.
She met a guy named Lou on the ship to America. She lost touch with him on the mainland. They found each other in a park on a winter day. They dated for a couple of months. Then Lou proposed to Jessie.
The ending was great!!! Jessie's grandmother came to America live with her. This book was AWESOME!!!!!

Mikala
DME

In this book, Jessie Came Across The Sea, immigrants face hardships. The hardships are leaving their family. They also face tough times,like getting their feelings hurt. Another hardship is when Jessie didn't have a choice to leave. She suffered because she had to leave her family and friends.

She was frazzled when her grandma came! Jessie was also happy when she met that boy! Jessie was so excited when she came back home! She was also excited when she got married. She was happy when she came across the sea!

Branden
DME