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Ellis Angels: The Nurses of Ellis Island Hospital
ELLIS ANGELS is the heartwarming story about the compassionate nurses of Ellis Island Hospital, the ladies-in-white, and the loving care they gave their immigrant patients. Newly-arrived immigrants were facing numerous physical and emotional challenges after their long sea journey. If unable to pass medical inspection, they were admitted to Ellis Island Hospital for treatment or further evaluation. When Miss Angie, a nurse recruit, arrives and learns the hospital routine, she meets handsome Dr. Goodwin and Miss Adeline, an experienced nurse, who takes Miss Angie under her wing. Nursing Superintendent, Sister Gwendolyn, keeps a watchful eye on her entire nursing staff. Together, through their creativity and combined efforts, the nurses and doctors of Ellis Island Hospital discover ways to help their patients follow their dreams. In the process, they achieve their own American Dreams.
365 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2013
74 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 6, 2015
Very good. ...lots of history.....written in a rather childlike way but it was a good book. Fiction based on true events. I learned alot.
May 27, 2020
Another Great One !
Enjoyable book about the nurses who worked at Ellis Island Hospital and the many Immigrants that they met and cared for there.
Many of the Hospital cases, were very sad,which made the uplifting stories,that much more so.
There was a lot of hanky-panky going on between a few of the doctors and nurses and also a few of the nurses,oh my! That long ago too!
They made the Immigration laws very strict in the early 20's,which made the Hospital very difficult to run,but persevere they did for some.more yrs.
This is the 1st of two books ,about the Ellis Angels,and the 2nd.I've read by Carole Limata,who also wrote Luna Babies,which is referenced quite a lot in this book.
Give this book,a try,you'll be glad you did !
Enjoyable book about the nurses who worked at Ellis Island Hospital and the many Immigrants that they met and cared for there.
Many of the Hospital cases, were very sad,which made the uplifting stories,that much more so.
There was a lot of hanky-panky going on between a few of the doctors and nurses and also a few of the nurses,oh my! That long ago too!
They made the Immigration laws very strict in the early 20's,which made the Hospital very difficult to run,but persevere they did for some.more yrs.
This is the 1st of two books ,about the Ellis Angels,and the 2nd.I've read by Carole Limata,who also wrote Luna Babies,which is referenced quite a lot in this book.
Give this book,a try,you'll be glad you did !
November 23, 2019
Good read
Excellent book about the "ladies in white" which were the nurses at Ellis Island. The book centered on the life of Miss Angie one of the nurses. The hospital description is comprehensive and makes you feel like you are on site. It was a good read, I strongly recommend it.
Excellent book about the "ladies in white" which were the nurses at Ellis Island. The book centered on the life of Miss Angie one of the nurses. The hospital description is comprehensive and makes you feel like you are on site. It was a good read, I strongly recommend it.
May 3, 2025
I recently did the Hard Hat Tour of Ellis Island to walk the ruins of this hospital. What I learned was fascinating and I wanted to know more. This book is a fictional account of the history there. The writing is elementary but the stories are moving.
September 1, 2025
Interesting read taking us back to when Ellis island brought in immigrants and rules and laws in place and the work the nurses and doctors had to do to keep a lid on disease and the quotas in place for each country immigrants came from
March 6, 2026
Packed full of very interesting history that I’ve never known before. History about Ellis island, medicine, and the culture of the time. I recommend it for these reasons. The writing level is closer to fifth grade but I could look past that because it was so packed with new information.
November 26, 2018
Fascinating
Very interesting especially with what is happening your country at the moment. Good story and enjoyable reading learning about our history
Very interesting especially with what is happening your country at the moment. Good story and enjoyable reading learning about our history
May 25, 2020
Excellent read...couldn't put it down!
I loved every word of it. Can't wait to get on to the next in the series. Amazing writing. Loved the emotions too.
I loved every word of it. Can't wait to get on to the next in the series. Amazing writing. Loved the emotions too.
May 27, 2025
This book is VERY informative, but also very dry. Lots of facts, but not much plot movement. It was almost like reading a museum? I like museums, so I enjoyed learning things from this book.
April 18, 2013
America’s Answer to “Call the Midwife”! Creative! Interesting! Endearing Characters!
The contrast of the delightful nurses who worked at Ellis Island Hospital softened the reality of the rigid Ellis Island Registration Process which the immigrants faced upon arrival to the U.S.A in the 1920s. In Part One, the young registered nurse Miss Angie, arrives at Ellis Island to live at the Nurses’ Cottage and work at the hospital. Through her week long orientation, she learns the inner workings of both the Ellis Island Registry and the Hospital. The novel contains descriptions of the registration procedure, criteria for admission into the country, reasons for deportation, and examples of the Immigration Board Hearings. Part Two follows each month of Miss Angie’s clinical experiences and the patients she serves as she works in the hospital. Each patient story has a creative twist and an unexpected outcome. After reading this book, I feel that I gained insight into a missing piece of American History of which little has been written. I especially appreciated the addendum at the end of the book, where the author explained to the reader what exactly is historical and what was enhanced with fiction. Apparently, the Ellis Island Hospital is still standing on Ellis Island, although it was closed and deserted over sixty years ago. There are two Readers’ Guides: one for Literary Groups and one for nurses and nursing students. This is an informative, well-written and entertaining read!
The contrast of the delightful nurses who worked at Ellis Island Hospital softened the reality of the rigid Ellis Island Registration Process which the immigrants faced upon arrival to the U.S.A in the 1920s. In Part One, the young registered nurse Miss Angie, arrives at Ellis Island to live at the Nurses’ Cottage and work at the hospital. Through her week long orientation, she learns the inner workings of both the Ellis Island Registry and the Hospital. The novel contains descriptions of the registration procedure, criteria for admission into the country, reasons for deportation, and examples of the Immigration Board Hearings. Part Two follows each month of Miss Angie’s clinical experiences and the patients she serves as she works in the hospital. Each patient story has a creative twist and an unexpected outcome. After reading this book, I feel that I gained insight into a missing piece of American History of which little has been written. I especially appreciated the addendum at the end of the book, where the author explained to the reader what exactly is historical and what was enhanced with fiction. Apparently, the Ellis Island Hospital is still standing on Ellis Island, although it was closed and deserted over sixty years ago. There are two Readers’ Guides: one for Literary Groups and one for nurses and nursing students. This is an informative, well-written and entertaining read!
December 18, 2015
Ellis Nurses
This book was recommended by a friend of a friend because I am a nurse, I enjoyed it not because I am a nurse but because it portrays the historical rolls nurses played in the history of immigration to this country and has a suggestion for modern times. People who immigrated back then needed to be screened and be prepared to get jobs and plan life not expect to be taken care of by others in their new country try. Portrays how much of a courteous, simpler time it was in the 1920's.
This book was recommended by a friend of a friend because I am a nurse, I enjoyed it not because I am a nurse but because it portrays the historical rolls nurses played in the history of immigration to this country and has a suggestion for modern times. People who immigrated back then needed to be screened and be prepared to get jobs and plan life not expect to be taken care of by others in their new country try. Portrays how much of a courteous, simpler time it was in the 1920's.
January 10, 2016
The historical fiction genre is one of my favorites. Although I found the dialog tedious, the relationships and historical backdrop was extremely interesting. A good read for anyone thinking the present-day political narrative about immigration is new! A good read, as well, for all of us (including me) who are the granddaughters and grandsons of immigrants from anywhere in the world. One of the most interesting facts I learned was the steamship companies were the brains behind bringing people in steerage...it was a business deal that later became a business-government partnership.
September 22, 2013
Fantastic book! I am fascinated by Ellis Island, so I knew I would enjoy it. I like that it is a fictional story, but done in a non-fiction setting. Wonderful story that I could read again. Highly recommend.
January 24, 2016
Read!
Very nice, feel good book. Recommend . Easy reading, can also be read to a group of older or younger listeners and be assured of hi interest level.
Very nice, feel good book. Recommend . Easy reading, can also be read to a group of older or younger listeners and be assured of hi interest level.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews