Immigrants and Tolerance Books
Emma's Poem - The Voice of the Statue of Liberty
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...
Who wrote these words? And why?
Emma's Poem, The Voice of the Statue of Liberty, portrays Emma, a young girl raised in a wealthy Jewish family who grew into a passionate humanitarian and well-known writer. Her deep caring for immigrants inspired Emma to create the powerful poem that gave the Statue of Liberty a voice of welcome for immigrants. Emma Lazarus never imagined that her small sonnet would--with time and the help of a friend, a composer, and the voices of schoolchildren across the country--shape the hearts and minds of the whole nation.
"An excellent introduction to both Lady Liberty and the poem."
--Horn Book starred review
"The art and words are moving in this picture book... to tell the history behind Lazarus' famous inscription on the Statue of Liberty." -- Booklist
"The pictures, with their slight folk-art feel, capture both the time and action of the story while the text illuminates the woman. A gentle tribute."
--School Library Journal
Junior Library Guild selection
A Sydney Taylor Honor Book
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio - Gold Medal Book
Amelia Bloomer Project best feminist children's books
A Minnesota Book Award finalist
Selected by Expeditionary Learning (a Common Core focused curriculum)
Hannah's Way
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
After Papa loses his job during the Depression, Hannah's family moves to rural Minnesota, where she is the only Jewish child in her class and still hasn't made any friends. When her teacher tries to arrange carpools for a Saturday class picnic, Hannah is upset. Her Jewish family is observant, and she knows she cannot ride on the Sabbath. Yet, she is determined to go to the picnic--her chance to make a friend. This tender story could be used for a lesson on immigrants, the Great Depression, or diversity and tolerance.
Midwest Book Award for Children's Picture Books
2013 Sydney Taylor Book Award —gold medal
"Sometimes the tiniest actions are the most heroic. In this book—based on a true story—the heroes are children. The moment is a little miracle—nearly impossible to believe, but entirely convincing and true."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Children need more stories like this one to learn respect for religious diversity and appreciation of the rituals of others.”
- Spirituality and Practice, Resources for Spiritual Journeys
Listen to Heidi Estrin’s Book of Life interview of Linda Glaser and Adam Gustavson (illustrator of Hannah’s Way)
Bridge to America
The year is 1920 and the setting is a shtetl, a small village in northern Poland, where Fivel and his family live in fear of the ruthless Cossacks and unpredictable pogroms. As he and his mother, brother, and sisters struggle to stay alive, nine-year-old Fivel is hungry, is cold, is a rascal, is goodhearted, longs for his father, and is afraid for their lives. Will the money from America ever come? Has their father forgotten about them, perhaps even found another family? When will the next horrific Cossack raid come?
Here is an absorbing, ultimately hopeful novel that creates an
unforgettable portrait of a family, a time, and the bridging of two worlds.
***********
"Seasoned picture book author Glaser offers a compelling historical
fiction ........ readers will appreciate Fivel's direct, unaffected perspectivce
on the hardships of the old country and the often-messy process of
adjusting to an alien culture."
-- Booklist
"Even relunctant readers will enjoy this riveting account and sensitive
portrayal of what it means to be an immigrant."
-- School Library Journal
"Glaser's first novel is an inspirational story that's clearly a labor of love
and tribute. A fine addition to collections on the immigrant experience."
-- Kirkus
"The book is written with heartfelt respect and love for the characters and
for the generation that braved the hardships of immigration. This attitude
gives the story an inner glow and brings it to life. Glaser loves
the people she writes about, and she makes readers love them too."
-- Heidi Estrin, host of The Book of Life podcast
Banks Street Best Children's Book of the Year
Sydney Taylor Notable Book
Minnesota Book Award Finalist
MN Delta Kappa Gamma, Jeannette Fair Award
Selected for Maryland's Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Reading List
2008 Reading Olympics Book
2009 Battle of the Books Selection
An Accelerated Reading Book