This story is primarily about Hannah. Hannah is a ten year old Russian Jew who leaves home for America with her 14-year-old cousin Esther in 1901. Esther was originally supposed to travel with 16-year-old Rivka, who died of influenza; the two girls must assume different identities to match the already obtained passports. Along the way the girls encounter a young orphan boy, and together, the three withstand the grueling journey across the ocean in the steerage compartment of the ship. But even after they've laid eyes on the Statue of Liberty, they're still not home free. They spend almost a month on Ellis Island, waiting for their American sponsor to find them, dreading the possibility of being deported before they ever set foot on the mainland. Hannah records her experiences and childlike drawings in a journal her "Papashka" (father) gave her before she departed. Finally, he is found and they begin their new life in New York.

I enjoyed reading this book, and i believe that young girls will too.I recommend this book to my students who want to learn about lithuania and how hannah came from that place with her younger sister and came to america. I think that this book would be great for ELL girls around the age of a 3rd grader because it is just so interesting. I would have this book in my book club area but just for girls. ( )

The exciting story of Hannah's trip from Russia to America is told through her journal entries. The format, with lined pages, hand lettering, and Hannah's drawings and comments in the margins, is especially appealing. ( )

This book is an illistrated journal of a girl immigrating with her friend to america. But many stops come up. Can they get past all of them? ( )