Land of Promise

Ellis Island #2

by Joan Lowery Nixon

Rose Carney, a young girl from Ireland, befriends Rebecca, from Russia, and Kristen, from Sweden, during the long journey to America. They part ways at Ellis Island and Rose continues onto a new life in Chicago.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Author of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75*, I really enjoyed Land of Hope and may have had too high of expectations for this one. It is part of the Ellis Island series, but everything having to do with that already happened in Hope. This starts with Rose heading to and arriving in Chicago. If I had wanted to read about Chicago at the turn of the century, political corruption (aldermen), and Jane Addams work with Hull House, this addresses those.

Rose is expected to do the cooking, cleaning, etc, even when she is working a paying job. I was frustrated with how her father and brothers often took her for granted and depressed at how they couldn't stop their alcoholic father. The ending was too sudden and things aren't resolved. The romance with Tim was rushed and unrealistic for me.

I liked Ellen, Kate, and the Sweeneys.

[Maggi Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars, but I'm feeling generous. A great story, but the author very hastily wrapped up loose ends at the end, leaving me feeling a little robbed.

[Paulette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple plot, easy read

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but this is the second book in the Ellis Island series where the main charater loses a relative back home, and doesn't know how life can go on.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 6-9


1902 Chicago. When 15 year old Rose is reunited with her brothers and father, she is happy to see them and eager to find a way to send for her mother and two little sisters. Quickly, Rose discovers that raising money for the tickets is not the only problem. Her father has started drinking and her brothers' involvment with Irish politics. Somehow she must find a way to raise the needed money while keeping her family out of trouble.

Interesting story with a lot of information about Chicago politics of the time and Jane Addams' Hull House.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story seems unfinished.

[Rebecca Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books growing up!

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy enough book but not one I would recommend.