This Monthly Book Spotlight is on Children's Literature. The Library owns a growing collection of books in this area (Children's Literature Collection).

One book in the Children's Literature Collection is Journey to Ellis Island: How My Father Came to America by Carol Bierman with Barbara Hehner; illustrated by Laurie McGaw. Bierman tells the story of her father Yehuda "Julius" Weinstein and his family who left Russia to come to America in the 1920's.

The Weinstein family has decided to leave Russia after the occupying German army killed Yehuda's father and sister. Their trip to America involves many trying moments. At one point, Yehuda must swim a river with his younger sister clinging to his back because all of the bridges were destroyed in the war. When the family is forced to cross a battlefield, Yehuda is wounded. They must walk to Kiev to find medical treatment that will save Yehuda's arm. There,a doctor tells Yehuda that he will lose a finger and will be forced to keep his arm in a sling. The family finally makes it out of Russia and to the port of Rotterdam where they are able to buy passage on a ship to America. Upon arrival in New York, the family is sent to Ellis Island for processing. Their future is jeopardized when the inspectors question Yehuda's health because of his arm. The captain of the ship that brought the Weinstein's to America intercedes on their behalf and doctors are consulted. Yehuda runs around Ellis Island twice to prove to the doctors and inspectors that he is physically fit and strong enough to stay in America. The family is admitted in the care of Yehuda's older brother Abe. Yehuda finds that every day in America brings a new experience. The book ends with Yehuda (now called Julius) returning to Ellis Island 75 years after he first arrived.

McGaw's illustrations compliment the story very well. She has combined beautiful, realistic watercolors with actual photographs and postcards from the time of the events portrayed.

This book has been used in many elementary and middle school lesson plans on the topic of immigration. It has inspired children to learn about the experiences of their own ancestors as they immigrated to America.

Journey to Ellis Island: How My Father Came to America by Carol Bierman is available in the Children's Literature Collection on the first floor of the Library at call number PZ7 .B549.

The Library owns a number of books for adults that are about Ellis Island. These include:

• Ellis Island Interviews: In Their Own Words, by Peter M. Coan (JV6455 .C53 1997)
• Ellis Island and the Peopling if America: The Official Guide, by Virginia Yans-McLaughlin (JV6484 .Y35 1997)