the Tale of Ellis Island: the Island Between Worlds

by Esther Warren

They came with names in their pockets and stories in their bones. This is a book about what they carried—and what they gave us.

The Tale of Ellis Island is a powerful blend of history and storytelling, bringing America’s immigrant past to life through two unforgettable
➤ A clear, vivid overview of Ellis Island’s real history
➤ Nine intimate fictional vignettes, inspired by true stories

Meet a Swedish girl carrying a violin carved from birch bark. An Italian seamstress arriving with a wedding dress in a pillowcase. A Jewish teen whose real name was lost at customs. These are not famous figures—they’re the heartbeat of America.

Perfect for readers of The Warmth of Other Suns, The Arrival, or Everything Sad Is Untrue, this book blends lyrical prose with deep historical research to create something
A story not just of immigration—but of belonging.

If your ancestors came through Ellis Island—or if you carry a story across generations—this book is for you.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. There was two parts: the first part was more of a history of Ellis Osland, how immigrants arrived and what happened once they were taken to Ellis Island, the second part, was stories from the view of immigrants and how they became citizens of the country. I too have relatives who went through Ellis Island.so this story really grabbed me. I felt the author really captured the whole immigration process through Ellis Island. It really made the visit to Ellis Island so much more alive after reading this story!

[Gail Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice read!

I have been doing genealogy for over 50 yrs. I have been to visit Ellis Island. Although my ancestors arrived before Ellis Island I can still relate. It’s a wonderful place to visit. You can almost see and hear those immigrants who waited in line to come into America. I thank the author for writing this in her lovely way of writing. This is truly a wonderful book!

[Josephine Giacovelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was right there

What a beautifully written book. Both sets of my grandparents immigrated through Ellis Island as did my husband’s paternal grandparents and this book brought to life what they went through. I highly recommend reading it. Esther Warren manages to take the reader into the emotions, hearts and fears of the immigrants .

[Dorothy Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written

I visited Ellis Island, the Statue of liberty a few years ago. Reading this book makes me want to go again, not as a tourist moving swiftly through by to read and savor the sanctity of it's history.

[Linda S. Salsman]

This was a very good, informative book. For anyone interested in ancestry at all, it gives a very clear picture of how or what your ancestors went through coming to America. Mostly a quick read for most, but I read before bed and unfortunately get too sleepy 😉.

[kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars

Too much said again and again. Couldnt finish the book. Thankyou tho for writing it. 5more words, i dont have more.

[Jan Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book sharing the facts and stories of European immigrants!

[Kathryn Spurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This beautiful, poetically-crafted book not only gives details and data about Ellis iIsland but relives the lives of those who entered its door. Well worth the read.

[Jesse Freedom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how emotional this book was, and how it helped me understand what things were like back then. I liked how I learned from this book, and how it focused on ordinary people (or should I say on how nobody is ordinary). I didn't like how I got a bit confused, more then once, by the poor editing.