Historical Fiction Book Review: When Jessie Came Across the Sea

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

"'I have decided,' announced the rabbi. 'Jessie will go to America.'" - When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Author: Amy Hest
Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright Date: 1997

Number of Pages: 40 pages

Reading Level: Grades 1-3 & 4-6

Genre: Historical Fiction

Cost: $6.99 (Amazon)

Rating: ★★★★★

 

After the loss of her parents, Jessie was raised by her grandmother. They lived in a small village, and, throughout her childhood, her grandmother taught her how to sew. The opportunity came for one person in her village to go to America, and Jessie was chosen by the rabbi; therefore, she had to go. Alone and scared, but gifted with the ability to sew, this book tells the story about Jessie crossing the sea, going to Ellis Island, and starting a new life in America. 

When Jesse Came Across the Sea is a book that could easily be used in the classroom to talk about people immigrating to America. When students are told about the process of crossing the sea to come to America, they may not fully understand what that experience was like. This book provides detailed illustrations and a story about a young girl who had to make that journey on her own. This was a difficult time for many immigrants, but coming to America gave many people better opportunities. 

After reading this book, the teacher could have the students think about what they would do if they lived during that time and had a choice between staying in the small village with family or going to America to seek better opportunities. After they think about it and decide what they would do, the students should write about their decision and explain why they would or would not go to America. If they decide that they would go to America, what one object would they choose to bring, like the tiny silver box that Jessie brought with her, and what opportunity they would seek when they got to America. This activity would help students better understand the events that took place during that time, because they would have to put themselves in that situation and make the decision to stay with family or go to America. 

Book Rating:

	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★	★	COMMENTS
PLOT	Plot is well developed with all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	Plot is developed, but lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a decent plot, but is lacking two of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a weak plot that is lacking three of the five elements of plot structure.	This book does not have a defined plot, and is lacking four or more of the five elements of plot structure.	★★★★★ I give When Jesse Came Across the Sea five stars for plot because it has a well-structured story-line that includes all five elements of good plot structure.
CHARACTER	The characters are well developed, have personality, and are believable.	Characters are well rounded, but lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	Characters are somewhat developed, and lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	The characters are underdeveloped, lack in depth and are not believable.	The characters are not developed   so the readers cannot connect to the book.	★★★★★ I give When Jesse Came Across the Sea five stars for its characters. Jessie is a young girl when she goes to America, and, through the story, her character is well-developed. We learn that she is hardworking, as well as other characteristics that give her personality and make her believable.
PACING	The story flows freely and is not rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for the most part, but there are a few spots where it feels rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for about half of the book, but the other half is rushed or slow.	The story often moves too fast or too slow and does not move freely.	There is no pacing in the story, which makes it difficult to read.	★★★★★ I give When Jesse Came Across the Sea five stars for pacing. This book has good plot structure and an interesting story, which helps it move freely throughout the story.

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