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How I Became an American
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From: JSidman at aol.com <JSidman>
Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 08:45:41 EST
As the granddaughter of German immigrants, I personally enjoyed this book very much. I have often pondered what it was like for my grandfather, who came from a tiny farming village to New York City as a 15-yr-old, and my grandmother (from the same village), who came as a young bride. How I Became an American helped me understand.
What I liked best about the book, besides the voice--which is wonderful and fresh, were the details. The story felt so real--not like a 21st century kid plopped into an interesting historical setting--but like the voice of someone who'd actually been there. The author said in an afterward that she'd used real journals in her research, and it showed. The one detail that sticks in my mind is the girls using charcoal from burnt matches to darken their eyes!
A thoroughly enjoyable, compelling book without an ounce of sap.
Joyce Sidman
Received on Tue 26 Mar 2002 07:45:41 AM CST
Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 08:45:41 EST
As the granddaughter of German immigrants, I personally enjoyed this book very much. I have often pondered what it was like for my grandfather, who came from a tiny farming village to New York City as a 15-yr-old, and my grandmother (from the same village), who came as a young bride. How I Became an American helped me understand.
What I liked best about the book, besides the voice--which is wonderful and fresh, were the details. The story felt so real--not like a 21st century kid plopped into an interesting historical setting--but like the voice of someone who'd actually been there. The author said in an afterward that she'd used real journals in her research, and it showed. The one detail that sticks in my mind is the girls using charcoal from burnt matches to darken their eyes!
A thoroughly enjoyable, compelling book without an ounce of sap.
Joyce Sidman
Received on Tue 26 Mar 2002 07:45:41 AM CST
