Just Call Me Joe

by Frieda Wishinsky, Stephen McCallum (Illustrator)

The year is 1909 and Joseph has just immigrated to the United States from Russia. He thinks that life in New York City will be wonderful, but he has not bargained for the challenges of learning English and of resisting the pressures to skip school, steal and fight to earn a place among the boys in his neighbourhood. Just Call Me Joe presents a full picture of life in New York City for the working poor. Anna, Joe's older sister, struggles to cope with the terrible factory conditions of the time. Aunt Sophie must take in boarders to make ends meet. And Joseph must both accept change and remain true to himself in a new city with new challenges.

Genres: Historical Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brother and sister arrive in New York from russia, must find work, learn English and endure difficult times.