reflection

Immigration Project Reflection
I liked my literature circle book because it had a lot about history and it taught me a lot. I learned a ton about immigration and how they had to travel, and live for a while. Something significant that I Learned about my book, “Hello America” by Livia Bitton-Jackosn, was the history about the immigration ships and how they came over on them and saw the Statue of Liberty so they knew they were free. I thought that was the coolest thing because I can picture it in my head, a large ship filled with hundreds of people, and going into the New York Harbor with the Statue of Liberty peering at you. I think that the way we do our lit circles is good, the only thing that I think could be a problem, is if you don’t have a computer or it doesn’t work. I had little problems with blogging, but sometimes I would be somewhere where there is no computer and that would be a problem.
When we first got the choices we could pick for our painting I already was positive I was going to change the book cover. I already knew that because the book cover that the book already had, could have been changed so that it tells the story of the book a little more. So that is what I did, I made the book cover with a immigration ship heading towards the Brooklyn Bridge to represent New York and America, and then I put the Statue of Liberty in the background to represent freedom. I believe that my painting connects to the book very well, because its about a immigrant family coming from Europe that escaped the holocaust to start their new lives in a new free world. My painting turned out almost exactly as I wanted it too. I thought that the Statue of Liberty could have had more detail or been a greener color, but otherwise it was perfect. By doing this art project I learned how to write an artist statement and what and artist statement was.
I believe my interviews went very well, very smooth. At first I could not get a hold of my interviewee, so I ended up changing my immigrant and getting my interviews done with him. I thought that it was different to interview my person three times, I would have rather done one long interview, but as long as I got the information and learned something I was happy. I learned that he was coming over to get money for his family to help them out. Being able to interview a real immigrant helped me understand what it was really like to have to travel to America.

Book Review

The most recent book I have read is Hello America written by Livia Bitton-Jackson. This book is about a jewish girl named Elli, from Auschwitz, that was involed in the Holocaust, and immigrated to America to start a new life. This book shows how hard it was for a new immigrant to be able to come to America, and start their new life.

This book was very good, right away I was interested in the book. This book teaches a lot about the history of immigration, and what it was like to live back then. The book starts off with Elli waking up on the immigration ship, and seeing the New York Habor approach her. Then the book goes off into her history, so later in the book you have a better understanding of what happens.

I would suggest this book to people who are interested in history about America, and immigration. I found this book to be very touching. Elli, the eighteen year old immigrant had to go through a lot back in her home country. She was involed in the holocaust, and so was her family. When they excaped from the clutches of the Natiz, they decied to move to the “Land of the Free”, America. Elli was prepared to leave the dreadful memories she had in Aushchwitz behind. But what she was not ready for was starting a completely new life, at the age of eighteen in America.

I highly consider you to get this book. It teaches a lot about being a immigrant. I know I learned a lot from this book, and so could you. You will not regret buying this book by Livia Bitton-Jackson.

Hello America #6

Quote #1 "I did it, I did it!" screamed Elli, "I got my high school diploma!"

Significance-
This quote shows that Elli was very proud of her acomplishment in graduating high school. I am very happy for Elli because she is finally starting to fit in to the American life. I think that Elli is going to be a very sucessful woman in her ne wlife in America.

Personal Connection-
I am very happy for Elli, and the things she has acomplished through out this book. I think she improved very much as a person, and in life. She came from being in the Holocost, to now being a sucessful woman in America.

Question-
What do you think Elli did after this? Do you think she went to collage, or started doing somthing different?

Quote #2
"Are you interested in the presidential campaign?"

Significance-
Reading this quote I could tell Elli is becoming a true American. I could tell this because she is staring to get more comfortable, and is participating, and learing about America, like the presidential campaign.

Character judgement-
I really think that Elli is going to be a sucessful person, and I am happy for her. With her learning quickly about America and the lifestlye, in no time she will make a great living a live a perfect, beautiful life.

Question-
What would you have changed in the book if you were Elli?

Hello America #5

Quote #1
"I hoped it would be. That's why I came all the way over here. Just to hear Hebrew spoken. I hope you don't mind." -Elli, Page 217

Significance-
Reading this page I noticed that Elli was pretty home sick. She came all the way to Brooklyn with Leslie, just to hear someone other than family that speaks Hebrew. Also on the way there to the meeting, Leslie and Elli look over the ancient scrolls that they just discovered in a cave near Khirbat Qumran.

Connection-
I have a connection with Elli because, one time I took a trip down somewhere in Mexico, and camped out there for about a week. I got very home sick, because I was missing everything I had, like my friends and technology. Also I was tired of not being able to understand what anyone was saying besides my family, so we took a drive to find the most Americanized place near us, just so we could hear a little English.

Question-
Have you ever been on a long trip before and felt homesick?

Quote #2
"May I have your phone number?" - the Moroccan man, page 219

Significance-
I thought it was a little weird when the man that Elli knew for not even a day asked her for her number and started to kind of try to hit on her. He was talking about all of the connections they had, and Elli was trying to get away from him but not in such a rude way. She said she was in a very big hurry and had to run to help mother, but he still did not give up.

Character Opinion-
If I was in Ellis shoes I think I would have done the same thing and tried to get away from the man, because who knows what he would do, where he came from, and his history.

Question-
How would you react if some random person came up to you, and started talking to you, and asked for your number?

Heaven to Home

The purpose of this exhibit, was to learn about Immigrants and how the evolved as they traveled into America. Some examples of the different things you could see in the exhibit are like when I read about the Jewish immigrants that traveled all the way to Amsterdam and were rejected by a dutch colony because the governor was afraid they would be too much to take care of but let them colonize in the area because it was against the governor's morals to reject priests and rabies. But the only thing was that they could only preach in private. Another example that I found interesting was that during Hitler's invasion over 100,000 Jews escaped to America. I know there were millions of Jews killed by the Nazis but to know that over 100,000 Jews found refuge in America reminds me of how so many other countries look up to us for guidance.

Hello America #4

Quote #1
"Dr. Hirschfeld-Alex-Was here during the operation. The surgeon told Alex the tumor was benign. He wanted me to tell you." -Bubi, page 108
Significance-
After Bubi told Elli that Mother was okay, she was probably the happiest she has been in the whole book. I chose this quote because it means a lot when it comes to family. As you can tell Elii loves her mother very much and pretty much does everything with her, so if her tumor was really bad, and maybe she had passed away Elli would be a wreck.
Question-
How did you feel when you read that the tumor was benign?
Quote #2
"Thank the lord you're here." -Mother, page 119
Significance
Mother was very very happy that Frankie was there. Even though he fell of the swing and his head was bleeding, mother was happy to see him. They took him to the emergencey room, and Alex was the doctors assistance. Alex told Elli he needed help with Frankie, so Elli got a white lab coat, and helped out.
Connection-
I have a connection to being in the doctors office, and having to assist the doctor before. I was with my cousin, and he broke his arm, so the doctor had me help hold him, and take his temperature all all of that while he was putting on the cast.
Question-
What would you have done if you where in the doctors office and he asked you for assistance?