What do you think?
Rate this book
A House of Tailors
SEWING! NO ONE could hate it more than Dina Kirk.
Endless tiny stitches, button holes, darts. Since she was tiny, she’s worked in her family’s dressmaking business, where the sewing machine is a cranky member of the family.
When 13-year-old Dina leaves her small town in Germany to join her uncle’s family in Brooklyn, she turns her back on sewing. Never again! But looking for a job leads her right back to the sewing machine. Why did she ever leave home? Here she is, still with a needle and thread—and homesick to boot.
She didn’t know she could be this homesick, but she didn’t know she could be so brave either, as she is standing up to an epidemic or a fire. She didn’t know she could grow so close to her new family or to Johann, the young man from the tailor’s shop. And she didn’t know that sewing would reveal her own wonderful talent—and her future.
In Dina, the beloved writer Patricia Reilly Giff has created one of her most engaging and vital heroines. Readers will enjoy seeing 1870s Brooklyn through Dina’s eyes, and share her excitement as she discovers a new world.
Endless tiny stitches, button holes, darts. Since she was tiny, she’s worked in her family’s dressmaking business, where the sewing machine is a cranky member of the family.
When 13-year-old Dina leaves her small town in Germany to join her uncle’s family in Brooklyn, she turns her back on sewing. Never again! But looking for a job leads her right back to the sewing machine. Why did she ever leave home? Here she is, still with a needle and thread—and homesick to boot.
She didn’t know she could be this homesick, but she didn’t know she could be so brave either, as she is standing up to an epidemic or a fire. She didn’t know she could grow so close to her new family or to Johann, the young man from the tailor’s shop. And she didn’t know that sewing would reveal her own wonderful talent—and her future.
In Dina, the beloved writer Patricia Reilly Giff has created one of her most engaging and vital heroines. Readers will enjoy seeing 1870s Brooklyn through Dina’s eyes, and share her excitement as she discovers a new world.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
30 people are currently reading
677 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Reilly Giff
212 books466 followersPatricia Reilly Giff was the author of many beloved books for children, including the Kids of the Polk Street School books, the Friends and Amigos books, and the Polka Dot Private Eye books. Several of her novels for older readers have been chosen as ALA-ALSC Notable Books and ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults. They include The Gift of the Pirate Queen; All the Way Home; Water Street; Nory Ryan's Song, a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Honor Book for Fiction; and the Newbery Honor Books Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. Lily's Crossing was also chosen as a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
December 20, 2020
Now I do increasingly tend to think that I might indeed have to stop trying to read more works by Patricia Reilly Giff, as A House of Tailors is once again a novel from her pen where while I can and do much appreciate (and enjoy) the themes, the premises, the general characterisations of the featured protagonists and antagonists, I just cannot really in any way warm up to the author's, to Patricia Reilly Giff’s writing style, to her way of penmanship.
And while as person of German background, I did (and still do) enjoy reading about German American immigrants in a novel such as A House of Tailors that is not set in WWII and has nothing to do with Naziism (unless you consider the author’s note), I really and truly cannot personally stand Patricia Reilly Giff's textual approach. For yes and in my opinion, Reilly Giff’s writing, it sure does feel all over the place, jumping haphazardly from episode to episode, and very much to the point of personal distraction and to such an extent I actually have ended up skimming over much of the featured narrative, simply because the author's word building and vocabulary choices as well as the general cadence of A House of Tailors just seem to grate on my nerves and annoyingly distract me so much that A House of Tailors while definitely still thematically interesting (at least to a point) has severely limited and reduced potential reading pleasure. And considering that ALL of the novels penned by Patricia Reilley Giff I have read to date have generally had the same negative effect on me with regard to her writing style and narration, I do now and strongly believe that at least for me personally, this author, Patricia Reilly Giff, is just not that good a fit, my appreciation of the themes covered, the stories being told by her quite majorly notwithstanding.
Two stars, but while I obviously do not at all seem to enjoy the author's writing style and ways of expressing herself on paper, I also am very much aware of the fact that others might well not have such a negative reaction, and from a thematic point of view, A House of Tailors is indeed a worthwhile middle grade historical fiction novel and one that is supposedly even based on Patricia Reilly Giff's own family background (a thematically interesting foray into late 19th and early 20th century America, the ever-present threat and danger due to pandemics like smallpox and that life was perhaps interesting, often exciting but truth be told generally never all that easy especially for recent immigrants to the United States, and not least because they were unfortunately also often seen as and approached like scapegoats and blamed for the spread of infectious diseases).
EDITED TO ADD: So while I did enjoy and appreciate the presented author's note, I do have some very major issues and qualms regarding the fact that Patricia Reilly Giff simply points out that there is speculation that as an old woman, the main protagonist's sister, Katharina (who had remained in Germany and never did immigrate to the USA like she had originally desired) was put to death by the Nazis. Now since the Giff family was obviously NOT Jewish, I really do think that at least some reasons why this might have happened should have been mentioned, should have been specifically considered. Was Katharina openly and vocally critical of the establishment, of the Third Reich? Did she try to hide Jewish friends or neighbours from the SS or the Gestapo? Was she chronically ill and thus designated as "worthless" and euthanised by the Nazis? For yes, the lack of ANY information and details whatsoever as to why Katharina was likely and probably killed by the Nazis does bother me rather strongly, simply because I kind of feel that I want to and even need to know. And although it might well be that neither Patricia Reilly Giff nor anyone really does know for sure, I for one do feel that a bit of supplemental information and even speculation would have been both appreciated and actually necessary, as even more than a month after having finished with A House of Tailors, I am still thinking and pondering about the information given, presented in Giff’s author's note and wondering why an elderly non Jewish Southern German woman like Dina's sister Katharina would have been killed, would have been put to death by the Nazis.
And while as person of German background, I did (and still do) enjoy reading about German American immigrants in a novel such as A House of Tailors that is not set in WWII and has nothing to do with Naziism (unless you consider the author’s note), I really and truly cannot personally stand Patricia Reilly Giff's textual approach. For yes and in my opinion, Reilly Giff’s writing, it sure does feel all over the place, jumping haphazardly from episode to episode, and very much to the point of personal distraction and to such an extent I actually have ended up skimming over much of the featured narrative, simply because the author's word building and vocabulary choices as well as the general cadence of A House of Tailors just seem to grate on my nerves and annoyingly distract me so much that A House of Tailors while definitely still thematically interesting (at least to a point) has severely limited and reduced potential reading pleasure. And considering that ALL of the novels penned by Patricia Reilley Giff I have read to date have generally had the same negative effect on me with regard to her writing style and narration, I do now and strongly believe that at least for me personally, this author, Patricia Reilly Giff, is just not that good a fit, my appreciation of the themes covered, the stories being told by her quite majorly notwithstanding.
Two stars, but while I obviously do not at all seem to enjoy the author's writing style and ways of expressing herself on paper, I also am very much aware of the fact that others might well not have such a negative reaction, and from a thematic point of view, A House of Tailors is indeed a worthwhile middle grade historical fiction novel and one that is supposedly even based on Patricia Reilly Giff's own family background (a thematically interesting foray into late 19th and early 20th century America, the ever-present threat and danger due to pandemics like smallpox and that life was perhaps interesting, often exciting but truth be told generally never all that easy especially for recent immigrants to the United States, and not least because they were unfortunately also often seen as and approached like scapegoats and blamed for the spread of infectious diseases).
EDITED TO ADD: So while I did enjoy and appreciate the presented author's note, I do have some very major issues and qualms regarding the fact that Patricia Reilly Giff simply points out that there is speculation that as an old woman, the main protagonist's sister, Katharina (who had remained in Germany and never did immigrate to the USA like she had originally desired) was put to death by the Nazis. Now since the Giff family was obviously NOT Jewish, I really do think that at least some reasons why this might have happened should have been mentioned, should have been specifically considered. Was Katharina openly and vocally critical of the establishment, of the Third Reich? Did she try to hide Jewish friends or neighbours from the SS or the Gestapo? Was she chronically ill and thus designated as "worthless" and euthanised by the Nazis? For yes, the lack of ANY information and details whatsoever as to why Katharina was likely and probably killed by the Nazis does bother me rather strongly, simply because I kind of feel that I want to and even need to know. And although it might well be that neither Patricia Reilly Giff nor anyone really does know for sure, I for one do feel that a bit of supplemental information and even speculation would have been both appreciated and actually necessary, as even more than a month after having finished with A House of Tailors, I am still thinking and pondering about the information given, presented in Giff’s author's note and wondering why an elderly non Jewish Southern German woman like Dina's sister Katharina would have been killed, would have been put to death by the Nazis.
November 15, 2018
"I looked out at the city and thought about wrapping my arms around it. I was beginning to love Brooklyn, with its heat and its cold, its dust and its dirt."
The book "A House of Tailors" is mainly revolved around the concept of "home." A question the protagonist asked herself was, "Where is home?"
The protagonist Dina immigrated from her hometown Breisach to Brooklyn. Dina described Breisach as "the beautiful festive town with its river and its cathedral..." and it is where Dina grew up. Her beloved family lives there, and Dina said: "I'll always be homesick for it."
On the other hand, Brooklyn is the city that Dina always wanted to live in, with its "glamorous hats" and "beautiful houses". But as Dina settled down in this place, she was forced to work every day to earn money. As she was living in her uncle's house, she survived through a Smallpox breakout. As she walked down the dusty streets, the cold wind rattled her bones. She gradually realized that Brooklyn isn't what she thought it would be, but Dina learns to love her new family in Brooklyn and the people there.
This book reminds me of the art project I am currently working on, a project where we create an artwork based on our knowledge of "home". We designed our piece using anything, and I asked myself if Dina were to make this project what would she make. Her artwork might be a combination of the river from Breisach and her apartment in Brooklyn. Dina's concept of home is where she can live joyfully to pursue her passion.
"A house is built of walls and beams,
A home is built of love and dreams."
---Unknown
The book "A House of Tailors" is mainly revolved around the concept of "home." A question the protagonist asked herself was, "Where is home?"
The protagonist Dina immigrated from her hometown Breisach to Brooklyn. Dina described Breisach as "the beautiful festive town with its river and its cathedral..." and it is where Dina grew up. Her beloved family lives there, and Dina said: "I'll always be homesick for it."
On the other hand, Brooklyn is the city that Dina always wanted to live in, with its "glamorous hats" and "beautiful houses". But as Dina settled down in this place, she was forced to work every day to earn money. As she was living in her uncle's house, she survived through a Smallpox breakout. As she walked down the dusty streets, the cold wind rattled her bones. She gradually realized that Brooklyn isn't what she thought it would be, but Dina learns to love her new family in Brooklyn and the people there.
This book reminds me of the art project I am currently working on, a project where we create an artwork based on our knowledge of "home". We designed our piece using anything, and I asked myself if Dina were to make this project what would she make. Her artwork might be a combination of the river from Breisach and her apartment in Brooklyn. Dina's concept of home is where she can live joyfully to pursue her passion.
"A house is built of walls and beams,
A home is built of love and dreams."
---Unknown
December 15, 2017
Dina, mistaken for a French spy and on the run from the Germany army, is sent to her uncle's in America for safety. It was supposed to be her sister Katharina making the journey. Dina's mother owned a sewing business which engaged her daughters as well. Dina looked forward to escaping sewing but soon found she must do so to earn money for passage back home. In the meantime she slowly adjusts to her new life. I will omit the rest of the story to prevent spoilers. It's a lovely story of immigrant life in in 1871-1872 New York. It's partially based on the author's great-grandmother's life although liberties, expressed in thee afterword, were taken. It's a story which should resonate with middle school girls interested in historical fiction.
February 15, 2022
The writing is kind of clunky but a lovely historical story!
January 10, 2011
J Giff, Patricia Reilly
Youth Dept - 5 stars
I LOVED this book and couldn't put it down until I finished it - it grabbed my interest from the very beginning!
A great story by two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff, this is a story based on the author's grandmother's journey to the United States. Set in the late 1800's, the story begins in Germany during a time of war. Dina, the main character and daughter of a tailor, is a young girl who always finds her way into trouble and one night as she returns from a quick boat trip across the river to "enemy" France to exchange sewing patterns, she is caught by German soldiers accusing her of being a spy. She manages to escape the soldiers and when she finally returns home, her worried widowed mother has already learned of soldiers looking for her daughter. Hastily, Dina's family makes preparations to send her, rather than her older sister who had been planning to make a trip to the United States, overseas to stay with her Uncle.
When Dina arrives in the United States, she is disappointed in the small home her Uncle, Aunt and baby cousin inhabit. To start her new life, she vows to never sew again, until her uncle, also a tailor in her "spare" time, put her to work. Dina's talents in sewing continue to outshine the rest of her family, despite her persistance that she hates to sew.
Dina experiences many things in her "new world", including a new strange language, getting caught trying on hats on her first day of work at her uncle's employer's house , a dangerous fire, a new family, and of course, the ever persistent home-sickness. Dina is determined to return to Germany, but could all these experiences change her mind?
Youth Dept - 5 stars
I LOVED this book and couldn't put it down until I finished it - it grabbed my interest from the very beginning!
A great story by two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff, this is a story based on the author's grandmother's journey to the United States. Set in the late 1800's, the story begins in Germany during a time of war. Dina, the main character and daughter of a tailor, is a young girl who always finds her way into trouble and one night as she returns from a quick boat trip across the river to "enemy" France to exchange sewing patterns, she is caught by German soldiers accusing her of being a spy. She manages to escape the soldiers and when she finally returns home, her worried widowed mother has already learned of soldiers looking for her daughter. Hastily, Dina's family makes preparations to send her, rather than her older sister who had been planning to make a trip to the United States, overseas to stay with her Uncle.
When Dina arrives in the United States, she is disappointed in the small home her Uncle, Aunt and baby cousin inhabit. To start her new life, she vows to never sew again, until her uncle, also a tailor in her "spare" time, put her to work. Dina's talents in sewing continue to outshine the rest of her family, despite her persistance that she hates to sew.
Dina experiences many things in her "new world", including a new strange language, getting caught trying on hats on her first day of work at her uncle's employer's house , a dangerous fire, a new family, and of course, the ever persistent home-sickness. Dina is determined to return to Germany, but could all these experiences change her mind?
March 23, 2011
Coming of age story of a girl moving to the US from Germany in the 1870s. I think I would have liked it better if I were in middle school (the target audience), but I've pretty much read my fill of sassy girls learning to get along in new places (Witch of Blackbird Pond - blech). Plus, it felt more like the outline of a book than the book itself. Even though the story is told in the voice of the adolescent girl, the distance between the narration & the story and the quick fast-forwards (suddenly it's 4 months later!) make it seem more like a memoir told by an adult than a story of what's happening now to this young character. I would think teen girls (including the narrator) would focus more on the details - getting to know her new family, becoming friends with Barbara, starting a romance - rather than just the broad brushstrokes of how she got to be an adult. Each character seems to be introduced solely as a plot point - you know the second she sees the one boy in the story that he is only there to be her love interest. Considering Patricia Reilly Giff is a master of getting in the heads of young children and telling the story from their perspective (Polk Street School books - amazing!!), her style here was a little disappointing.
Plus - and this has nothing to do with Giff - I was confused that the narrator of the audio book chose to do all of the characters with German accents. Why would they have German accents when they were speaking German? And why does the narrator only have an accent when she's speaking out loud? Help!
Plus - and this has nothing to do with Giff - I was confused that the narrator of the audio book chose to do all of the characters with German accents. Why would they have German accents when they were speaking German? And why does the narrator only have an accent when she's speaking out loud? Help!
August 29, 2011
Thirteen year old Dina sails from Germany to America by herself in 1870 convinced she is moving from a life of sewing for her mother to her rich uncle's home. She hopes never to have to sew again. She enters Uncle Lucas' tiny apartment in dirty, dingy Brooklyn to see a sewing machine enthroned in the main room. Her uncle works in service, caring for the carriage horses and the lawn during the day, and sews at night. He dreams of owning his own tailoring shop, but doesn't have enough money. Dina has traded the open windows fronting on the river of her home, sewing lovely dresses in the company of her mother and sister, for the stifling heat of Brooklyn, windows closed against the soot, sewing men's pants by herself for her uncle. She immediately makes plans to earn enough money to go home.
While she hates to sew, she is very talented at dressmaking. She does love to make hats and improvises a beautiful one for herself out of found materials which catches the eye of her uncle's employer.
Dina is stubborn and impulsive, traits which usually get her into trouble, but are an asset when the Health Department inspectors come to their door during the smallpox epidemic. Both her Aunt Barbara and baby cousin Maria are infected. Dina cares for them diligently, making sure both are clean and fed, cleaning the house, and brazening out the inspection saving her aunt's and cousin's lives.
Fighting it every inch of the way, Dina learns to love her new home and new family, and to appreciate her talent and abilities. She recognizes what everyone who has ever moved away from home struggles with, the desire to stay in the new place competing with the desire to return, creating a tug-of-war in your heart as you try to define which is home.
While she hates to sew, she is very talented at dressmaking. She does love to make hats and improvises a beautiful one for herself out of found materials which catches the eye of her uncle's employer.
Dina is stubborn and impulsive, traits which usually get her into trouble, but are an asset when the Health Department inspectors come to their door during the smallpox epidemic. Both her Aunt Barbara and baby cousin Maria are infected. Dina cares for them diligently, making sure both are clean and fed, cleaning the house, and brazening out the inspection saving her aunt's and cousin's lives.
Fighting it every inch of the way, Dina learns to love her new home and new family, and to appreciate her talent and abilities. She recognizes what everyone who has ever moved away from home struggles with, the desire to stay in the new place competing with the desire to return, creating a tug-of-war in your heart as you try to define which is home.
December 13, 2017
This is a small, but mighty young adult book that realistically portrays the belief that immigrants have of America and the streets of gold, compared to the reality of some of the hardships endured when they come to the new land.
Dina's family is hard working. When her father dies, Dina uses the skills learned from her mother to help the family.
Living in Germany in 1870, she is mistaken for being a spy for the French. Her sister was slated to come to America, but now Dina must use the coveted ticket instead to save her life. Hoping that she does not have to work as hard, and certainly does not have to sew, she learns that she lives in a "house of tailors." Her Uncle hopes for a better life than his can currently give his family living in Brooklyn, NY.
Thus, Dina is required to sew, a talent she thought she hated.
Yet, when she begins to assimilate into her American family, she risks all in order to be instrumental in helping her new family.
This is yet another book written by an excellent author who portrays history in a very realistic manner.
Dina's family is hard working. When her father dies, Dina uses the skills learned from her mother to help the family.
Living in Germany in 1870, she is mistaken for being a spy for the French. Her sister was slated to come to America, but now Dina must use the coveted ticket instead to save her life. Hoping that she does not have to work as hard, and certainly does not have to sew, she learns that she lives in a "house of tailors." Her Uncle hopes for a better life than his can currently give his family living in Brooklyn, NY.
Thus, Dina is required to sew, a talent she thought she hated.
Yet, when she begins to assimilate into her American family, she risks all in order to be instrumental in helping her new family.
This is yet another book written by an excellent author who portrays history in a very realistic manner.
May 30, 2010
Three and a half stars, actually. Interesting characters, plot and historical setting. Troubling things happen to Dina and her family, but not nightmare-causing. The author loosely based the story on her great-grandmother -- I like that!
One little thing bugged me: we listened to this on CDs, and the narrator read all of the dialogue of Dina and her family with a pronounced German accent.(The rest of the book did not have an accent, so it wasn't because the narrator herself had an accent.) It bothered me because they would have been speaking German to each other, not English. Therefore, they would not have any accent at all and could understand each other just fine! Only when the characters are learning English and try to speak it should there have been any accent stuff going on, in my opinion! (I don't know if the written version of the book indicates any accent.)
One little thing bugged me: we listened to this on CDs, and the narrator read all of the dialogue of Dina and her family with a pronounced German accent.(The rest of the book did not have an accent, so it wasn't because the narrator herself had an accent.) It bothered me because they would have been speaking German to each other, not English. Therefore, they would not have any accent at all and could understand each other just fine! Only when the characters are learning English and try to speak it should there have been any accent stuff going on, in my opinion! (I don't know if the written version of the book indicates any accent.)
September 7, 2016
This book took me about an hour and a half to read (with interruptions) so please read it! It was such a lovely story, one of Dina who loved to eat and hated to sew. I teared up at work and smiled continuously. Also, read the Afterword. It makes you love the book that much more! I love simple and beautiful stories!
January 29, 2017
Dina, a 12 year old girl in Germony is sick of her life as a tailor. One day she gets mistaken for a spy and is sent to America to hide. The book was fairly good, but the ending was incredibly stupid.
July 29, 2017
After a somewhat trumped up inciting incident sends the girl to America, her adventures in the new world kept me totally involved. I loved the detailed "job of work" descriptions. I count on Patricia Reilly Giff to give me an absorbing historical.
May 17, 2017
Excellent depiction of what it was like for a German immigrant to NYC in 1871.
May 23, 2023
In this young adult fiction story you will discover a young girl. This girl is a heroine in her own rights. The story of Dina is told through her eyes. A young girl who has left her home in Germany to come to America for a better life. She finds herself at 13 in 1870 Brooklyn which is part of the big city of New York. She was a seamstress back home in Germany and she had no intentions of doing that job again in her new country. She looks for work and does not find anything except back to being a seamstress at a sewing machine. Dina at her young age finds her standing up to disease and a fire. She did not know she could be so brave. She finds that she has become so close with her Uncle's family and a young man named Johann from the tailor's shop. This story will keep the reader intrigued and smiling at all of the things that happen with Dina.
April 21, 2025
Historical fiction middle grade novel, A House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff, is based on the life of the author's great-grandmother, Dina.
Dina, in 1870, at age 13, emigrates alone from Germany, leaving her mother, sister and younger brothers behind in order to live with her uncle and his family in Brooklyn, NYC.
In Germany, Dina's worked as a seamstress/tailor along with her mother and sister.
In Brooklyn, Dina experiences culture shock and unexpected trials.
I enjoyed Dina, who is feisty, makes mistakes, and doesn't give up on her dreams.
The afterword, about the real-life Dina and family, was especially interesting/heartening.
Dina, in 1870, at age 13, emigrates alone from Germany, leaving her mother, sister and younger brothers behind in order to live with her uncle and his family in Brooklyn, NYC.
In Germany, Dina's worked as a seamstress/tailor along with her mother and sister.
In Brooklyn, Dina experiences culture shock and unexpected trials.
I enjoyed Dina, who is feisty, makes mistakes, and doesn't give up on her dreams.
The afterword, about the real-life Dina and family, was especially interesting/heartening.
January 11, 2017
Dina is jealous that her older sister has a ticket to go to America and live with their mother's brother because at age thirteen she is thoroughly tired of sewing for the family business. The tables turn when she gets into a scrape that sends her to America in place of her sister, only to find out she will still be required to sew, now for her Uncle's family business.
She faces loneliness, language barriers, disappointment, illness, fire, loss, and humiliation. She also finds friendship, strength, joy, self-knowledge, and courage. Ultimately she has a very difficult choice to make.
All-in-all a nice tribute to the author's grandmother. Too bad the cover art and title do so little for this book.
She faces loneliness, language barriers, disappointment, illness, fire, loss, and humiliation. She also finds friendship, strength, joy, self-knowledge, and courage. Ultimately she has a very difficult choice to make.
All-in-all a nice tribute to the author's grandmother. Too bad the cover art and title do so little for this book.
March 20, 2020
Another amazing story by Patricia Reilly Giff.
Ms Giff is my daughter's favorite author and I make a point of reading books my kids say are their favorites. I picked up this one at her recommendation and it is wonderful.
It is the story of Dina-a young German daughter of a dressmaker in Germany who through missteps and thoughtless action winds up taking her sister's passage to the US to live with her Uncle in New York. Her dreams of never picking up a needle again are shattered when she discovers that her American family is not rich-in fact they are poorer than she had been in Germany and they are also tailors.
I loved the characters, I loved the lessons and I love how she weaves in history with honest, fallible characters.
Highly recommended for the middle grades.
Ms Giff is my daughter's favorite author and I make a point of reading books my kids say are their favorites. I picked up this one at her recommendation and it is wonderful.
It is the story of Dina-a young German daughter of a dressmaker in Germany who through missteps and thoughtless action winds up taking her sister's passage to the US to live with her Uncle in New York. Her dreams of never picking up a needle again are shattered when she discovers that her American family is not rich-in fact they are poorer than she had been in Germany and they are also tailors.
I loved the characters, I loved the lessons and I love how she weaves in history with honest, fallible characters.
Highly recommended for the middle grades.
December 31, 2023
This is a love story: to family, to home, to sewing, and to language. I identify with Dina’s selling disinterest in sewing, even though it affects so much of her connection to her family. The plot thread of homesickness, even for places the characters have never been, was touching. I have to also comment on the way language (both German and English) was commented on throughout this book. The languages both tied each other together at times, and at others, separated them. Such a touching book for a YA novel.
August 10, 2017
A saying I once read sums up this story, "Wherever you go, there you are". Dina travels from Germany to America. Not everything is as she imagined and hard work is in store for her, trials and much heartache, but through it all, she comes to know herself and her amazing talent. She treasures the love of family and is caught between wanting to return to her beloved Germany and wanting to stay in Brooklyn which gradually also claims her heart.
February 20, 2024
In this YA novel, 14 year old Dina works for her widowed mother as a seamstress in Germany. When she is falsely accused of spying, she takes her sister's place as an immigrant to New York.
YA books like this are the reasons I first became intrigued by HF. Giff does a very good job of portraying homesickness, and later, a mix of missing home along with excitement about new places and people. There's no mistaking this book for an adult novel, but it was a refreshing change of pace.
YA books like this are the reasons I first became intrigued by HF. Giff does a very good job of portraying homesickness, and later, a mix of missing home along with excitement about new places and people. There's no mistaking this book for an adult novel, but it was a refreshing change of pace.
September 27, 2024
I meant to read this with my kids, but I made the mistake of peeking inside and accidentally finished it on my own. I think the author did an excellent job of illustrating the challenges of moving to a foreign country and of taking in a child who doesn't want to be living with you. The ending was very satisfying, and I was so pleased to read the author's inspiration behind the story. Very sweet story without losing the grit of real life issues.
December 18, 2025
I read this with my daughter and we both really enjoyed it. It was a simple story and pleasant to read all along but I think the ending pushed it up a star. I really like the idea that you can be good at something and choose it as your career even if it isn’t your favorite thing forever, just a really important lesson for young people. And how cool that it was based on the author’s grandmother’s life!
August 21, 2022
A charming book of love towards family and for sewing!!
It gives a clear picture of cross Atlantic travel in the late 19th century and the sacrifices people made to reach the land of dreams!!
I would like to read this book again. I napped after finishing the book thinking about the warm feeling Dina had. How kind Barbara was and how motherly Katharina was. How matured Dina was at that age!!
It gives a clear picture of cross Atlantic travel in the late 19th century and the sacrifices people made to reach the land of dreams!!
I would like to read this book again. I napped after finishing the book thinking about the warm feeling Dina had. How kind Barbara was and how motherly Katharina was. How matured Dina was at that age!!
February 17, 2024
I don't generally like novellas because the story doesn't have a lot of time to develop but this was amazing. I listened to it on audio and Blair Brown always does an amazing job.
This is a lovely quick read that will have you rooting for the characters and will leave you with warm fuzzies.
Found family. Using your strengths. Finding your passion.
This is a lovely quick read that will have you rooting for the characters and will leave you with warm fuzzies.
Found family. Using your strengths. Finding your passion.
December 20, 2016
Really enjoyed it but it was too short - I wanted more of the characters. Set in the 1870's in Brooklyn with a 13 year-old arriving from Germany. Her dressmaking skills lead her into the American life. Some touching moments, some poignant, some funny, but too few...
August 7, 2018
Patricia Reilly Giff is one of my favorite middle grade authors. She is able to bring the past alive with engaging characters and fascinating stories. I find her very engaging and I thoroughly enjoy all her books.
February 2, 2019
It was okay, but being only over a hundred pages, it's hard to get to like the characters a whole lot. I mean, Dina was nice, but I don't know if I'll really remember her much now that I'm done with this book.
September 30, 2022
I picked this out of a Little Library in my neighborhood Monday September 26,2022, in case we lost power from Hurricane Ian. Thankfully, Ian spared our city, but we did lose power. I enjoyed reading this when there was light. A lovely homage to a family story.
March 23, 2023
A quick, little read. I finished in just under two hours. I loved discovering that this is based on the author’s great-grandmother’s life. It was enjoyable to read about late 1800’s Brooklyn, German immigrant struggles, and discovering that sometimes your dream has been right in front of you.
July 1, 2017
Love it!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews