At age thirteen Raisa journeys alone from Poland to America to find her sister and build a new life. The year is 1911 as Raisa joins the tide of immigrants flowing into New York. On board the ship Raisa befriends a child, Brina, and then
When Brina’s mother dies, takes charge of the child claiming her as sister. Arrival in New York does not bring a reunion with Raisa’s sister, but begins a story of survival.
More than just the story of one immigrant, this is the story of the young people who worked in the New York garment district in 1911 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, which burned killing 146 workers. The fire is written with consideration for the youth reader; it is not overly descriptive yet conveys the horror of the event.
This well written novel should engage readers of historical fiction. The characters are well developed. The story moves forward effortlessly, the ending is a bit contrived, but will be satisfying for mid-teen readers. Chapters are 20 plus pages.
390 pages
ISBN: 978-0670012459
Recommended by: Barbara Fiehn, Librarian, Kentucky, USA
