Immigrant Kids - Russell Freedman

Title: Immigrant Kids
Author: Russell Freedman
Publisher: Puffin
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Type: Picture Book, nonfiction
ISBN: 978-0140375947
About:

Many immigrants came to America between 1880-1920. The conditions were poor and the people had little money. The children of this time were required to work. School was a strict environment where children were often put in classrooms where no one understood their language. During play they took to the streets.

The book is written as an informative look into the lives of these immigrants. First-hand accounts are used to tell readers just how things were for children from someone that was there. This book is set between 1880 and 1920 in New York City mainly. The theme is working children and learning to appreciate what you have.

The illustrations are photographs taken during the time in which the book was set. Many are candid shots of bustling city streets and overcrowded conditions. Others are close ups of children. The photographs are arranged one per page enlarged to about half of the page. This makes the detail in the poor quality black and white photo more evident.