Addressing her journal entries to the cousin she left behind, Rifka recounts her flight from the pogroms of 1919 Russia, enduring sickness, separation from her family, and a voyage across the Atlantic.
“Hesse’s vivacious tale colorfully and convincingly refreshes the immigrant experience.”—"Publishers Weekly", Starred Review
“What especially raises it above docu-novel is the emerging sense of Rifka’s personality. Bald from the ringworm, poor and needy, she proves she’s no greenhorn; she has a gift for languages, she’s brave and clever, and if she talks too much, so be it.”—"Booklist"
“Told with unusual grace and simplicity, an unforgettable picture of immigrant courage, ingenuity, and perseverance.”—"Kirkus Reviews", Pointer
“Based largely on the memories of the author’s great-aunt, this historical novel has a plot, characters, and style that will make it an often-requested choice from young readers. A vivid, memorable, and involving reading experience.”—"School Library Journal", Starred Review
"Hesse's vivacious tale colorfully and convincingly refreshes the immigrant experience."--"Publishers Weekly," Starred Review
"What especially raises it above docu-novel is the emerging sense of Rifka's personality. Bald from the ringworm, poor and needy, she proves she's no greenhorn; she has a gift for languages, she's brave and clever, and if she talks too much, so be it."--"Booklist"
"Told with unusual grace and simplicity, an unforgettable picture of immigrant courage, ingenuity, and perseverance."--"Kirkus Reviews," Pointer
"Based largely on the memories of the author's great-aunt, this historical novel has a plot, characters, and style that will make it an often-requested choice from young readers. A vivid, memorable, and involving reading experience."--"School Library Journal," Starred Review
Hesse's vivacious tale colorfully and convincingly refreshes the immigrant experience. Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Told with unusual grace and simplicity, an unforgettable picture of immigrant courage, ingenuity, and perseverance. Pointer, Kirkus Reviews
What especially raises it above docu-novel is the emerging sense of Rifka's personality. Bald from the ringworm, poor and needy, she proves she's no greenhorn; she has a gift for languages, she's brave and clever, and if she talks too much, so be it. Booklist
Based largely on the memories of the author's great-aunt, this historical novel has a plot, characters, and style that will make it an often-requested choice from young readers. A vivid, memorable, and involving reading experience. School Library Journal, Starred Review"
Hesse's vivacious tale colorfully and convincingly refreshes the immigrant experience. Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Told with unusual grace and simplicity, an unforgettable picture of immigrant courage, ingenuity, and perseverance. Pointer, Kirkus Reviews
What especially raises it above docu-novel is the emerging sense of Rifka's personality. Bald from the ringworm, poor and needy, she proves she's no greenhorn; she has a gift for languages, she's brave and clever, and if she talks too much, so be it. Booklist
Based largely on the memories of the author's great-aunt, this historical novel has a plot, characters, and style that will make it an often-requested choice from young readers. A vivid, memorable, and involving reading experience. School Library Journal, Starred Review
"
-Hesse's vivacious tale colorfully and convincingly refreshes the immigrant experience.- --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
-Told with unusual grace and simplicity, an unforgettable picture of immigrant courage, ingenuity, and perseverance.- --Pointer, Kirkus Reviews
-What especially raises it above docu-novel is the emerging sense of Rifka's personality. Bald from the ringworm, poor and needy, she proves she's no greenhorn; she has a gift for languages, she's brave and clever, and if she talks too much, so be it.- --Booklist
-Based largely on the memories of the author's great-aunt, this historical novel has a plot, characters, and style that will make it an often-requested choice from young readers. A vivid, memorable, and involving reading experience.- --School Library Journal, Starred Review
"Hesse's vivacious tale colorfully and convincingly refreshes the immigrant experience." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Told with unusual grace and simplicity, an unforgettable picture of immigrant courage, ingenuity, and perseverance." --Pointer, Kirkus Reviews
"What especially raises it above docu-novel is the emerging sense of Rifka's personality. Bald from the ringworm, poor and needy, she proves she's no greenhorn; she has a gift for languages, she's brave and clever, and if she talks too much, so be it." --Booklist
"Based largely on the memories of the author's great-aunt, this historical novel has a plot, characters, and style that will make it an often-requested choice from young readers. A vivid, memorable, and involving reading experience." --School Library Journal, Starred Review
