"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
October 28, 2011 marks the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. The monument was given to America by France in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution but it has come to symbolize ideals like freedom and democracy in addition to international friendship.
The official dedication ceremony was held on October 28, 1886. Construction on the statue began in France in the early 1870s and was completed in 1885. It arrived in New York in June of 1885 and after being reassembled on Ellis Island that fall. The entire process took over 10 years.
To many, Lady Liberty is closely linked with immigration history. Situated on Ellis Island in the New York Bay, the monument greeted new arrivals who were coming to America hoping to make a new home. Browse the selections below for books to use in the classroom, library, or at home.
For more information, resources, and activities visit:
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/history/statue-of-liberty/
http://www.statueofliberty.org/Statue_History.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/307
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/history/statue-of-liberty/
http://www.statueofliberty.org/Statue_History.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/307
Liberty's Voice: The Story of Emma Lazarus
Erica Silverman
Illustrated by Stacey Schuett
Interesting non-fiction is always in demand in classrooms and libraries. Liberty's Voice is an outstanding picture book biography of Emma Lazarus, author of "The New Colossus," the well-known poem on the base of The Statue of Liberty. The story of Emma Lazarus needs to be shared because her contributions to American history as well as the Jewish community deserve to be celebrated. The author's impeccable research brings Emma to life for young readers. A gifted young poet, Emma becomes a student of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emma's connection to her Jewish community is also well established. Emma writes political columns about the pogroms in Europe and poverty in America. Although raised in a wealthy family, Emma reaches out to those less fortunate in numerous ways. As a leader of social causes and a passionate humanitarian, Emma Lazarus is a perfect subject for school projects. The text is well written and full of interesting details, including Emma's initial refusal to write a poem for The Statue of Liberty. She replied to the request with "I am sorry. I cannot write to order. Poetry must come from the heart." Later, she is inspired and her creative process is beautifully described in the text: "And if the statue spoke to the world, what would she say? Emma listened. And wrote..." Emma's humility and passion make her an appealing and inspiring character for young students. The deeply hued illustrations have a magical quality with just enough historical detail, including a newspaper with the heading "Russian Jews Flee Homeland," to transport readers to back in time. There is a current surge of interest in Emma Lazarus. Another excellent picture book, Emma's Poem by Linda Glaser and Claire A. Nivola is more specifically focused on the writing of "The New Colossus," and would be an excellent companion to Liberty's Voice. Liberty's Voice is highly recommended for Judaic and public libraries. Category: In The Spotlight. 2011, Dutton, 32 pp., $17.99. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Barbara Bietz (Association of Jewish Libraries, May/June 2011).
ISBN: 9780525478591
No comments:
Post a Comment