Tenement: Immigrant Life on the Lower East Side

by Raymond Bial

Life on the Lower East Side was bustling. Immigrants from many European countries had come to make a better life for themselves and their families in the United States. But the wages they earned were so low that they could afford only the most basic accommodations—tenements. Unfortunately, there were few laws protecting the residents of tenements, and landlords took advantage of this by allowing the buildings to become cramped and squalid. There was little the tenants could do; their only other choice was the street. Though most immigrants struggled in these buildings, many overcame a difficult start and saw generations after them move on to better apartments, homes, and lives. Raymond Bial reveals the first, challenging step in this process as he leads us on a tour of the sights and sounds of the Lower East Side, guiding us through the dark hallways, staircases, and rooms of the tenements.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, New York

48 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 2002

About the author

Author and photographer Raymond Bial (1948-2021) has been creating acclaimed books for children and adults for more than thirty years. His books have been published by Houghton Mifflin, Scholastic, Walker & Company, Marshall Cavendish, Crickhollow Books, and other fine publishers and university presses. Raymond also makes images on assignment, and his stock photographs have been used by book publishers such as National Geographic, advertising agencies such as Leo Burnett, and media such as PBS.

Raymond’s most recent books are Ellis Island: Coming to the Land of Liberty, which is an excellent companion volume to Tenement: Immigrant Life on the Lower East Side; The Shaker Village, a lovely collection of color photographs depicting the simplicity and grace of this remarkable utopian community; a lovely paperback edition of Where Lincoln Walked published in honor of the bicentennial of the birth of this great president; Dripping Blood Cave and Other Ghostly Stories, the third volume in a popular series of ghost stories for young readers; and Rescuing Rover: Saving America’s Dogs, which has been selected for the Junior Literary Guild Book Club. Rescuing Rover is currently receiving high praise across the country.

Chigger, his most recent novel, is receiving fine reviews from readers, young and old alike. Anyone who likes to root for the underdog will love this sweet story of an unforgettable girl.

Reviews

[Yahya Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just think about a little bit about living together in a very little room with many people. This is a reality of immigration in the USA in the late 19th century and early 20th century. In this book, Author Bial investigated the life of immigrant families in tenements with other families and he showed us their poor life in the USA. He says; "In America, the streets might not be paved in gold, as they had been told, but this still the land of Opportunity." It is true and many people came to the USA at least have a chance to survive and find jobs and foods. He also put many pictures from these centuries and he showed how they lived in their home. I recommend it.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, very brief overview of the history of the tenements in New York. Includes historical photographs and photos from the Tenement Museum.

[Stephanie Watson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too textbook-like for a picture book

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comparable to "97 Orchard Street, New York". I preferred that book's telling of the story of Lower East Side immigrant life through the lives of real families, but I think children would find the modern-day pictures in this book more interesting, as they are in full color & may give children a better feel for what the tenements actually looked like.

[Debra McCracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting--I learned a lot I didn't know; more importantly, this book, being a photo essay, made the lives of the immigrants who lived in these tenements come to life. So many of us Americans have ancestors who passed through here even if they didn't stay. A good book for middle readers to adults.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for kids to learn about tenements in New York in late 1880s. Also good pictures.

[Jill Cordry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even considering the picture book format, this is a bit too paternalistic. Take the time to read 97 ORCHARD.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juvenile audience; good pictures. Nice to have some imagery to have in conjunction with more scholarly works.

[kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

great pictures - 3-5 grade text. Biblio and web sites in the back.