When Jessie Came Across the Sea (1997)

Confession: I actually found this book years ago, but wanted to reread it.
I love PJ Lynch as an artist and loved this story of an immigrant who brings her traditions and talents with her to America and, I believe, makes the country better with those traditions and talents. ( )

great story about a young woman coming to America, good way to include books in the history or social studies classroom. ( )

I liked this book for many reasons. The pictures in the story really help the reader follow and feel connected. I could feel the emotions that Jessie’s grandmother had when she was told that Jessie would be going to America. When Jessie is on the boat, I really felt like I was there with her by the way the author described the people that she was meeting. The author develops the character of Jessie really well throughout the book. She was scared to go to America and leave her family but she was brave and got right to work when she arrived. This books gives a great insight to immigration and how hard it is to adjust to being somewhere new. This books takes place a long time ago but the concept is still relevant now. I think the message of the story is to be brave. ( )

A great story of a young immigrant moving away from her beloved grandma to live in America. It's a great book to show kids the process of immigration back then and through the eyes of someone their own age is a great feat. Good job. I definitely recommend this book for a social studies library. ( )

This book tells the story about a girl who finds herself having to leave everything she knows, overcoming her situation with bravery, and being okay in the end. Good for a lesson on immigration or Ellis island. ( )