The Story of Italian Immigration Passage to Liberty and the Rebirth of America

The Story of Italian Immigration Passage to Liberty and the Rebirth of America

by

A. Kenneth Ciongoli and Jay Parini

Summary: 

This is a wonderful nonfiction book about how Italian's have influenced and changed America. It tells the story of how Italians became America citizens and accomplished their dreams of rebuilding the image of Rome. Ciongoli and Parini focus on important Italians who have shaped America. For example, Cesar Rodney and William Paca who were two Italians who signed the Declaration of Independence. Woven into the famous historical facts throughout the book is the story of Antonio, grandfather of one of the authors. Making this not only a wonderful resource of history but a narrative that brings to life the experiences of a people whose talents, self-sacrifice and contributions helped shape America. 

Evaluation: 

This is a must read for the target reading age level group for this book of 12-15 years and up. There are a log of words on each page but they are not overwhelming and every page includes either a picture of the person they are talking about, an illustration of an event, or replicas of old passports, hand-written recipes, coupon books from an old immigrant mutual-aid insurance policy, and even the jury's verdict form from a trial of Al Capone. This book truly brings history to life in more ways than one. It is keeps its readers engaged because it becomes a personal experience through the story of Antonio. 

Young readers who are of Italian heritage would find this book extremely interesting because it shows them what their ancestors went through. Each page has an attention catching title and does not labor on one topic for too long. Some examples are: Pasta and Pizza and Evolving Italian-American Cuisine, Hostility and Hangings From New Orleans to Sacco and Vanzetti, etc. The following  paragraphs keep the reader engaged with their living words. 

For example on the page of Hostility and Hangings it starts out with, 

"Let's get those dirty dagos."
"Those black guinea bastards are gonna get what they deserve."

"Not guilty! Is that jury crazy? Those lazy, ignorant wops-let's get 'em!" The mob came into being, and a crescendo shook the ground. It was a terrifying sight.

A shrill voice cried out: "Billy O'Connor heard the superintendent whisper, just as he died, that the dagos did it. Right O'Connor?"

A tall, pot-bellied, orange-freckled man, William O'Connor, nodded.

The voice continued, "There is no room in New Orleans for these criminals. The wops are an inferior race. They get along with the Negroes because they're just like them. I say, lynch them all now!"

The crowd turned and rushed the jailhouse. Without resistance, they emptied the cells and hung all the occupants.

As you can see from this small selection the topic and the way the author reveals America's history keeps the readers engaged and interested.

There is nothing negative about this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone age 12 years and above!

Nonfiction Mondays

House of the Scorpion

House of the Scorpion

by 

Nancy Farmer

Summary:

Matteo Alcran was created inside a petri dish and then cultivated in the womb of a cow. He is a clone of El Patron, the drug lord of Opium. Most clones have a procedure done at birth that turns them into thoughtless monsters, but not El Patron's clones. Matt was raised up to be like a normal boy. As Matt comes to grips with his existence as a clone, he is threatened by El Patron's power-hungry family. Escape is the only chance Matt has to survive. With help from his personal body guard and his mother he embarks on an incredible journey that might just change his world forever.

Evaluation: 

This is an incredible book and I would highly recommend it to anyone over 12 years old! This book truly draws its readers young and old into its plot through its unique setting and interesting characters. Farmer really has the reader feelings as if they were learning, suffering, and experiencing life right alongside of Matt. The characters in this book are so believable that they make the reader have true feelings of compassion for the eegits and clones, and anger and disdain for those who treat Matt and other humans as worthless animals.Being told from third person point of view the reader is drawn into Matt's struggle as he tries to understand his purpose in life and read through the lines of what his loved ones are telling him about his future. Farmer ingeniously uses figurative language to keep the pages turning and drawing out the suspense. One great example of this from the book is, "So many hints! So many clues! Like a pebble that starts an avalanche, Matt's fear shook loose more and more memories. Why had Maria run from him when they found MacGregor's clone in the hospital? Because she knew! They all knew!"

This book is wonderful for its target audience of 12 years and above. Though it is classified as a science fiction novel it is also an extraordinary suspense and mystery as well, appealing to a wider range of readers. Preteens and juveniles alike can relate to Matt because they too are trying to find their place in the world. Just like Matt who has El Patron's same DNA, young readers at this age are usually trying to become their own person and separate themselves from their parents. Major topics in this book such as drugs, morals, stem cell research, immigration laws, nature vs. nurture, and disabilities are all tops that the target age group should be familiar with and relate to.

Links:

Orphan Black is the newest hit series to come out of the UK. It's plot is very similar to The House of the Scorpion and might be of interest to those reads who enjoy the book.

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