
Reach for this book when your child is facing a significant life transition, feeling homesick, or curious about their ancestral roots. This gentle historical narrative follows Annushka and her sister, Tanya, as they leave their grandmother in Russia to join their father in New York. The story beautifully illustrates how small, physical links to our past, like the family's Sabbath candlesticks, can provide a sense of continuity and courage during times of great change. Ideal for children aged 5 to 10, the book balances the anxiety of the unknown with the warmth of family bonds. Parents will appreciate how it introduces the immigrant experience through a lens of resilience and tradition. It is a comforting choice for any child needing to see that while 'home' may change its location, the light of family love travels with them.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe uncertainty of the sea voyage and the Ellis Island inspection process.
The book addresses the pain of family separation and the uncertainty of immigration. The approach is realistic but grounded in a hopeful Jewish tradition. The sadness of leaving a grandparent is handled with tenderness rather than despair.
An 8-year-old who is moving to a new city and feels overwhelmed by what they are leaving behind, or a child interested in 'how we got here' stories regarding their own family tree.
Read cold. The book is very accessible, though parents may want to be ready to explain what Ellis Island was or what 'steerage' meant for immigrant families. A child asking, 'Why did they have to leave their grandma?' or a child clinging to a specific stuffed animal or blanket for security during a trip.
Younger children (5-6) will focus on the sisters' relationship and the beauty of the candlesticks. Older children (8-10) will grasp the historical weight of the journey and the courage required to start over in a foreign land.
Unlike many immigration stories that focus on the hardships of the destination, this book centers on the transitional 'middle space' of the journey itself and the power of ritual objects to provide psychological safety.
Annushka and Tanya bid a tearful farewell to their grandmother in Russia, carrying only their clothes and a pair of heavy brass Sabbath candlesticks. They board a crowded steamship, navigating the sights, sounds, and smells of the steerage deck. Throughout the long voyage, the candlesticks serve as a literal and metaphorical beacon of their Jewish heritage. Upon arrival at Ellis Island, they face the anxiety of inspection before finally reuniting with their father in their new American home.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.