Kearsten says: A young Jewish girl, Raizel, joins her father in journeying to America, so that they might earn the money to bring Raizel’s mother, 2 brothers and sister to America as well, but when they are denied entry and sent back, Raizel must find a way to help her father put aside his pride and fear to help them get back to America. Beautiful writing/description, and the way Raizel tells stories that pertain to what is happening in her life is very well done and fascinating. Raizels family is very religious, so get a peek into that world, as well as the journey to America as both a 3rd and 2nd class passenger (and the extreme difference between the two). ( )

A young Jewish girl, Raizel, joins her father in journeying to America, so that they might earn the money to bring Raizel’s mother, 2 brothers and sister to America as well, but when they are denied entry and sent back, Raizel must find a way to help her father put aside his pride and fear to help them get back to America. Beautiful writing/description, and the way Raizel tells stories that pertain to what is happening in her life is very well done and fascinating. Raizels family is very religious, so get a peek into that world, as well as the journey to America as both a 3rd and 2nd class passenger (and the extreme difference between the two). ( )

Raizel and her father face rejection at Ellis Island, but with a change in attitude and the help of kindly fellow passengers, their second attempt at immigration is successful.