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| Rebecca Rubin, a
brand-new American Girl, is a nine-year-old Jewish girl
growing up in 1914 New York, with aspirations to become
an actress. When Rebecca learns of her relatives'
struggle to gain passage to America from Russia, she
wants to help and, after secretly earning some money,
she is faced with a difficult moral choice. American
Girl fans should find Rebecca's story compelling and
will enjoy the glimpse they're given into this chapter
of immigration history. A concluding section provides
additional historical information as well as a glossary
including some Yiddish, Hebrew and other terms. Ages
8–up. (May) [Page 55]. Copyright
2009 Reed Business Information.
For the October meeting
read a book about Kaya.
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| Reviewed with
Janet Shaw's Kaya's Escape! Gr. 3-5. In 1764,
nine-year-old Kaya lives in the traditional
homeland of the Nez Perce tribe (present-day
Idaho, Washington, and Oregon) with her parents,
siblings, and Speaking Rain, a blind girl. In
Meet Kaya, she neglects her duties and, when the
other children find out, she wonders if she will
ever live it down. In Kaya's Escape, Kaya and
Speaking Rain are captured and taken to an
enemy's camp. Determined to escape, Kaya
struggles to make it home through the bitter
winter weather without supplies. Nez Perce words
are used throughout both stories, and a glossary
is appended. A closing section in both titles
provides cultural and historical information as
well as pictures of the Nimiipuu, known today as
the Nez Perce. The editorial staff of Pleasant
Company worked with the Nez Perce Tribal
Executive Council to create an advisory board
that supervised all aspects of the project,
including the decision to set the story before
contact with white explorers and settlers. Both
historically accurate and culturally sensitive,
Kaya's stories are welcome additions to this
publisher's output and a noteworthy result of a
unique collaboration. |
(Reviewed January 1 & 15, 2003)
Copyright 2003 Booklist Reviews |