Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty Review
Emma could count herself among the fortunate few. She was always dressed nicely and had a lot of food. Best of all she had "plenty of love from her family." They lived in a large beautiful home in New York City. Naturally, Emma thought that everyone lived liked they did. When she grew up, she became a "well-known writer," but she began to notice that not all people were as fortunate as she and her family had been. When she visited Ward's Island in New York Harbor she was greatly saddened by the poor, sick, and tired immigrant population she saw who came in search of a better life on the shores of the United States.
Many, like Emma, were Jewish and had escaped the madness of Eastern Europe. They were intelligent, but came with nothing. Many came without their "friends and relatives who had been killed." It was during the 1880s that she began to work with them. She helped them learn English, find work and in return she found friends. People looked their noses down on this type of practice and even more so on the people she helped. One day Emma "heard about a statue being constructed in France as a gift of friendship for the United States." In an effort to raise money, famous writers were asked to write something in commemoration. Emma had an idea . . .
This is a stunning portrait of a woman, a people, and time so very important in American history. Of course, Emma is the one who penned the poem that reads in part, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses . . . " Undoubtedly few people know about Emma Lazarus, a woman all but forgotten by history, but her famous poem still blazes strong. The art work was strong, bold, and depicted those huddled masses perfectly. In the back of the book is a photograph of Emma, an interesting biographical vignette by the author, and the poem in its entirety. This is a wonderful historical book that deserved a place on your classroom, library, or homeschool shelves!
Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty Overview
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...
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Customer Reviews
A must for every Library - Lisa Michelle -
Emma Lazarus was a young woman full of passion, integrity and had a very strong message to be told. She was a writer, a Jew, and most importantly a woman who wanted her voice to be heard. She lived in New York City during the late 1880's in a family full of fortune and wealth. One day she visited the New York Harbor where she saw many impoverished immigrants, Jews and non-Jews who had traveled from afar for freedom in America. She began to help these people, which then inspired her to write one of the most powerful poems. This poem, The New Colossus, gave the Statue of Liberty a voice to welcome all new immigrants to the United States. In Emma's Poem, author Linda Glaser, writes about Emma Lazarus as a little girl and then a grown woman who creates a beautiful sonnet that is now inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. Claire Nivola, the Illustrator creates elegant full-page illustrations done in watercolors and Gouache. The magical pictures are painting like in that they make the story come to life with intricate details. The pictures along with the words tell a beautiful story that is part of our American history and one that should never be forgotten.
This book is recommended for children ages 4-8 and highly recommended for all libraries. Linda Glaser is a fabulous author that has written many other wonderful picture books including: Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah, The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes, Our Big Home: An Earth Poem, Bridge to America and many others. Emma's Poem includes an author's note at the back of the book along with the full text of the poem, The New Colossus. Most important, this story teaches children how Emma's poem and the Statue of Liberty came together and are an important part of our history and life.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 03, 2010 05:40:05
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