Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | J 304.873 BAU | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Wildwood Library (Mahtomedi) | J 304.873 BAU | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
With painstaking research, an unerring eye for just the right illustration, and her unique narrative style, award-winning author Ann Bausum makes the history of immigration in America come alive for young people. The story of America has always been shaped by people from all corners of the Earth who came in search of a better life and a brighter future. Immigration remains one of the critical topics in 21st century America, and how our children learn the lessons of the past will shape all our futures.The patriotic stories of hope that shape most immigration books are supplemented here by the lesser-known stories of those denied, detained, and deported. Ann Bausum's compelling book presents a revealing series of snapshots from the dark side of immigration history including: * Immigrants Denied: The St. Louis, a ship filled with Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany sought refuge in American ports and was turned away, condemning many of its passengers to ultimately perish in the Holocaust. * Immigrants Detained: Japanese-Americans were rounded up during World War II and placed in detention centers--regardless of their patriotism--for security reasons. * Immigrants Deported: Emma Goldman was branded a dangerous extremist and sent back to Russia in 1919, after living 30 years in the United States.Ann Bausum creates a bridge from the lessons of the past to the present with fascinating analysis of how our past has influenced modern events and current views on immigration.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.
Author Notes
Ann Bausum is the daughter of a history professor, and she grew up with a love of American history and a passion for research. This award-winning author has published several books for National Geographic Books, including the acclaimed reference book, Our Country's First Ladies. Another of her titles, Freedom Riders, was named a Sibert Honor Book. She lives in Beloit, WI.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Starred Review. Gr 5-9-Opening with Emma Lazarus's famous poem, "The New Colossus," and a powerful response poem by Naomi Shihab Nye, this volume deals frankly with the more troubling aspects of United States immigration policy. The author chose the stories of three immigrants. Each one stands alone, but read together they show a disturbing trend. Twelve-year-old German-Jew Herb Karliner was denied entry to the United States at the border when he attempted to escape Nazi Germany. Sixteen-year-old Japanese-American Mary Matsuda was detained with the rest of her family during World War II. Labor-activist Emma Goldman was deported for her "un-American" views. Each story explores parallels in the present day. The themes of the three stories are unified by the introduction and conclusion, which deal with Chinese immigration during the late 19th century and the history of immigration across the southern border of the United States, respectively. Photographs throughout will help students relate to the narrative. An extensive time line and a resource guide are included. This book is not intended to cover the entire topic of immigration, but instead focuses solely on instances in which the United States appears to have made mistakes. The author even takes time to explore possible negative consequences of making the "better" decision, acknowledging that it's impossible to know what unforeseen outcomes would have resulted. While narrow in its focus, this is an interesting and readable book, well worth purchasing for any collection.-Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Profiling anarchist Emma Goldman (deported in 1919), a Jewish refugee (denied entry in 1939), and a Japanese-American family (detained in a WWII internment camp), Bausam examines the consequences of America's "harsh immigration decisions." Opening and closing chapters discuss the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and the ongoing debate over Mexican-U.S. immigration policy, respectively. An eye-pleasing book design incorporates many affecting period photographs. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
From the opening pages, Bausum makes no secret of her views on U.S. immigration policy. Contending that "[a]rguments for and against immigration tend to repeat in cycles," the focus is on the implicit warning contained in five stories: the 1882 exclusion of Chinese immigrants, the 1919 deportation of anarchists Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman, the tragic 1939 refusal of entry for Jewish passengers of the St. Louis, the World War II detention of Japanese-American citizens and exploitation of Mexican migrant workers that began during the same era. Meticulously researched and documented, and illustrated with period photographs, this effort provides detailed information on some of the darkest episodes in U.S. immigration history and ends with a summary of current immigration issues. Very much an argument, this work does less interrogation of the consequences of a truly open border than might be wished, and it's equally possible to posit that nativist sentiment is constant rather than cyclical. Though unevenly effective at capturing the motivating political and popular forces at work during these times, however, it is a useful resource. (timeline, resource guide, bibliography, resource notes, citations and illustration credits, index) (Nonfiction. 11 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Does our nation, built by immigrants, have room for more newcomers? Should individual rights be sacrificed for homeland security? With personal narratives and heartbreaking photographs, this beautifully designed photo-essay connects past immigration issues of economics, racism, national security, and patriotism with what is happening now. A photo of the Statue of Liberty appears on the first spread with Emma Lazarus' famous inscription ( Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses ); opposite is a contemporary poem by Naomi Shihab Nye ( But not too tired, not too poor / And we will give you . . . the stares / that say you are not where or what you should be ). Individual chapters look closely at instances of immigration gone wrong, including Chinese immigrant laborers refused citizenship; Holocaust refugees denied entry; Japanese Americans detained; and Mexican farmworkers hired, fired, and exploited. Following these moving profiles, Bausum discusses crucial contemporary problems, including the post-9/11 debate about monitoring Islamic extremists. Throughout, she is passionate about the respect due to illegal immigrants, even as she shows the unions' concern that illegals keep wages low. The comprehensive back matter includes a 12-page annotated time line and lists of resources to guide readers, including adults. A landmark title, sure to spark intense discussion.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2009 Booklist
