Summer 2004 Review:

Island of Hope is, as the cover says, ‘the story of Ellis Island and the journey to America ’. The book tells the stories of many immigrants that passed through Ellis Island from the day they opened their doors to when Ellis Island ceased to allow immigrants through. The author talked mainly with his grandfather to get the results shown in this book.

Although the book’s cover may look dull, it’s actually not too bad. The author uses great descriptive style, and shows you the difference between lifestyles today and back then through his contrasting words.

If you know nothing about Ellis Island , or know a bit, but find it boring, then I would suggest this book. I would bring this book to school if I were studying Ellis Island , but I wouldn’t recommend it as a pleasurable read. I had a difficult time keeping my eyes focused on the page, and I tried to take in the words typed there with the same difficulty.

Island of Hope has found it’s way onto the shelves of bookstores and libraries. Now, if it finds it’s way into your hands, I would tell you to read it, for previously stated reasons, so go ahead and read away!

~ Emma Shebat, grade 7, Canfield Village Middle School