Junkman's Daughter

Tales of Young Americans

by Sonia Levitin, Guy Porfirio (Illustrator)

Even before they immigrate to America, Hanna and her family dream of the new life they will have there. "You will see, Hanna," Papa said. "There are streets of gold." But when they arrive, they find life very different from what they had imagined. Their apartment is small and Hanna and her brothers must sleep on a mattress on the floor. Mama spends her days knitting shawls and sweaters to sell on the streets but no one stops to buy. And Papa can find no work.

Hanna looks everywhere for the gold Papa promised them but it is not to be found. What will happen to their dream of a new, better life in America?

One day a seemingly insignificant find on a slushy street leads to an opportunity for a brighter future. And like many others before them, Hanna and her family realize that through small steps and hard work they can make their American dream come true.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Historical, Family, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Sonia Levitin is a German-American novelist, artist, producer, Holocaust Survivor, and author of over forty novels and picture books for young adults and children, as well as several theatrical plays and published essays on various topics for adults. Her book Incident at Loring Groves won an Edgar Allan Poe Award.

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with great heart and fantastic artwork. I liked that it was about a family sticking together through hard times. That's sometimes a difficult thing for young children to understand, but this book would be a great conversation starter to help with explaining that.

I was not compensated for my honest review.

[Erin]

This reads as an ode to the author's own childhood, although I don't know that this story mirrors her own experiences. Sonia Levitin escaped from Nazi Germany with her family when she was a baby. And while the rigors of refugee life may echo through this story, there are no Holocaust horrors here. Just a family looking for a better life, and so they move to the United States. Taking place sometime in the early 20th century, this book looks at the space between the dream and reality. Hanna family has visions of opportunity and the mythic streets of gold, but when they arrive in the U.S. they have little prospects. Hard work and taking advantage of the literal detritus around them allows the family to struggle their way into a more comfortable and eventually successful position.

It's a story that makes me wonder about support and struggle, independence and community, and what we owe each other as humans. Hanna's family appears to claw their way up from the bottom without help. Absent from this story is any outside assistance, and it makes me wonder how many families were able to do this completely on their own -- no one already in the U.S. to help, no neighbors to commiserate with, no community programs to help immigrants get on their feet -- it makes for a great and inspiring story, but how much is myth and how much is real?

The illustrations remind me of my own childhood and have that round, saturated glow.

[Keayra D]

Intended Audience
Ages 4 and up.
Key themes
This book tells the story of a young girl named Hanna and her family who just recently migrated into American for a calmer life. Even though they are excited to start their new journeys there are obstacles that come their way and their expectations about the move are different.
Why I chose this book for my library?

I chose this book for my library because it can teach my students how moving from one place to another can be challenging and obstacles may come but you will eventually adjust to the new move.

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Levitin's books are always interesting. Not always engaging and, at times, a bit preachy and she tries to hard to convey messages. This book is one of her better books. However, I let out a guffaw when I read the part where Grandmother tells Hanna that she (Hanna) will be a famous dancer and people will throw coins onto the stage. Burlesque?

[Brandilan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a family who comes to America from another country and has to find a way to make a living. I guess I was confused by this book. I wish there had been an authors note for me to learn more about the context. I think it's good for children to read about a family sticking together through hardship though

[Emily Biamont · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book about what life as an immigrant might look like back then. I loved the family aspect and the whole idea of building from the ground up and gaining so much success. I loved the flow of the book and the illustrations.

[Jolyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colorful and engaging story about the immigrant's misconception of the "Land of Opportunity" and learning what the American Dream actually can mean. It's interesting how people's perception of that dream has and hasn't changed over time.

[Liz Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about struggles coming to America and living the American Dream.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about immigration and family.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonia Levitin has written a book that will be enjoyed by children and adults through out the years. This story tells an important part of America's history. It tells about perseverance, the desire to succeed and never give up hope.
Hanna, a young girl recently arrived in America with her family learns that the streets are not paved of gold...or are they? With a little teamwork, and willingness to work hard to make sure their family is taken care of Hanna, her brothers and father begin their family business from the ground up collecting trash.
This tale can be used by teachers to teach so many valuable life lesson, such as family always sticks together, hard work does pay off. Not to mention that it can be used to explain what life was like to new immigrants coming from the "old country". This book is well worth the read, you will not be disappointed.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting story with nice historical appeal. It was a bit dry and I kept feeling like some illustrations were missing - who were they selling to, how did they present things for sale? - but the emotional content was translated very well for a child's perspective. You might have to explain the time period to little ones you are reading it to.

[Zonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very hopeful immigration story.