| Author | Kathryn Lasky |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Set in | New York City, 1903 |
| Publisher | Scholastic |
Publication date | 1998 |
| Publication place | United States |
Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl, New York City, 1903 is a 1998 children's historical novel by Kathryn Lasky, part of the Dear America series.[1][2] The novel takes the form of a diary written by 12-year-old Zipporah "Zippy" Feldman, a Russian Jew who has immigrated to the Lower East Side of New York City with her family. It is the series' only book on Jewish and Russian immigrants to the U.S.[3]: 163
The "golden country" in the novel's title refers to the United States and its economic opportunity. This eponym has been used similarly in other children's literature discussing Jewish immigration to the U.S. in this period.[3]: 103 However, the novel also discusses the "twin threats of poverty and sickness" in Zippy's new life, and how "exploitation clashes with the expectation of prosperity" in the Lower East Side.[3]: 163
The novel takes place entirely within the U.S., as with the majority of similar children's literature addressing Jewish immigration to the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century.[3]: 24
Lasky noted in her author's note that the novel was partially inspired by her own grandparents' immigration to the U.S.[3]: 29-30
The novel was adapted into an HBO film of the same name in April 1999, following largely the same plot at the book. Zippy was played by Natalie Vansier.[4][5]
Synopsis
editZipporah "Zippy" Feldman, her mother, and her older sisters Miriam and Tovah arrived at Ellis Island, after traveling from Zarichka, a village in the Russian Empire. After passing the health inspections, they reunited with Zippy's father, who arrived in the U.S. previously to work, and settle into their tenement on the Lower East Side.
Zippy begins attending school, where she begins learning English and American culture, and makes friends. She also becomes interested in theater. Her sister, Tovah, begins work at a shirtwaist factory and founds a union there, while her other sister, Miriam, elopes with a Catholic man named Sean, which angers her mother.
In addition to finding her own place in American life, Zippy also tries to reignite her father's love of violin and find ways to help her mother adjust to American culture.
After a series of tragic events, including the death of family friend Mamie in a shirtwaist factory fire and the death of Zippy's new baby brother, Yossel, the family reunites with Miriam and Zippy finishes her diary.
References
edit- ^ Stahler, Theresa (Fall 1998). "Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, A Jewish Immigrant Girl of New York, 1903". Childhood Education. 75 (1): 47. Retrieved 2024-11-06 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Hathaway, Julia Emily (1999-07-09). "'Dear America' choice for girls' historical fiction". Bangor Daily News. pp. G1–G2.
- ^ a b c d e Pohl, Jana (2011-01-01). "The Target Country: America". Images of Eastern European Jewish Migration to America in Contemporary American Children’s Literature. Brill. pp. 83–121. doi:10.1163/9789401200714_008. ISBN 978-94-012-0071-4. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "Kids Watch". The Item. 1999-04-11. pp. 6C.
- ^ Dawson, Diana (1999-04-17). "Unglued from the Tube". The Albany Herald.
Further reading
edit- Hubler, Angela E. (2000). "Girl Power and History in the Dear America Series Books". Children's Literature Association Quarterly. 25 (2): 98–106. ISSN 1553-1201.
- Pohl, Jana (2006-01-01). ",,Only darkness in the Goldeneh Medina?" Die Lower East Side in der US-amerikanischen Kinder- und Jugendliteratur". Zeitschrift für Religions- und Geistesgeschichte. 58 (3): 227–242. doi:10.1163/157007306777834546. ISSN 0044-3441.