Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story by Mary Helen Fein

It’s 1900, and sixteen-year-old Helen comes alone in steerage across the Atlantic from a small village in Lithuania, fleeing terrible anti-Semitism and persecution. She arrives at Ellis Island, and finds a place to live in the colorful Lower East Side of New York. She quickly finds a job and, like millions of others who are coming to America during this time, devotes herself to bringing the rest of her family to join her in the New World, refusing to rest until her family is safe in New York.

A few at a time, Helen’s family members arrive. Each goes to work with the same fervor, and contributes everything to bringing over their remaining beloved family members in a chain of migration. Helen meanwhile, makes friends and—once the whole family is safe in New York—falls in love with a man who introduces her to a different New York—a New York of wonder, beauty, and possibility.

Stitching A Life was a truly delightful read. The story is about the author's grandmother, and I couldn't think of a better way to honour Helen's courage, bravery and life! I think that this book would be a perfect introduction to Historical Fiction (in particular the topic of the Jews, WWI and WWII) for children and adults alike! It was lovely to read a book set in this time period, that didn't focus on the horrors Jews faced, instead it focused on the bravery and the incredible things lots of people achieved. It was great to learn about the life of an immigrant, and it was such an uplifting book. I found myself constantly smiling as the characters were so delightful and inspiring. The story teaches the importance of family, faith and hard work and the characters are fantastic role models for children and young adults. I think this book is wonderful for children and young adults to read, as well as people who want to read historical fiction that is uplifting. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.