Streets of Gold

by Rosemary Wells, Dan Andreasen (Illustrations)

In a picture book inspired by Mary Antin's classic immigrant memoir The Promised Land, Rosemary Wells brings renewed freshness to the story of Masha, a young Russian girl. In the last decade of the 19th century, the czar's harsh anti-Semitic laws forbid Masha, who is Jewish, from going to school. When her family immigrates to America, Masha not only achieves the long-desired education, but also gains success as a poet, and a love for her new country that will last all her life.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Poetry, History, Jewish

39 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).

Reviews

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well told story and beautiful illustrations.

[Joanne G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the autobiography of Mary Antin, a Jewish girl whose family fled oppression in Russia in the late 1800s, Wells tells the story of a little girl's fears, dreams, and triumphs. Beautifully illustrated.

Reading the trials of the Jewish people during this time was very similar to the stories my husband's family tells of their oppression as Volga Germans in Russia. They, too, had their belongings stolen and were relocated. Some were sent to Siberia, some escaped and made their way to the United States, and some were never heard from again.

These stories are important to teach children in order that history may not repeat itself.

Re-read first December 15, 2016.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t quite right for my 5-year-old, as it was too long and ideas too complex/out of her realm of experience to read in one sitting. But I found it poetic and beautiful, full of wonderful images and language. It would be interesting to look at, even in middle and upper grades, in a diverse urban classroom, alongside other immigration stories. Or perhaps as a Writerly life book, helping English language learners see themselves as writers, too.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My father was inspired by a vision. He saw something--he promised us something. It was America."

A young, Jewish girl growing up in Czarist Russia tells the story of what it was like and how her father went to America so that he could send back money for them to follow him.

Based on the life of Mary Antin and adapted from her autobiography The Promised Land. A good book to read for 3rd grade immigration units.

[Karen Roettger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortened version of Mary Antin’s book “The Promised Land”. A story about her young life in Russia, her family’s journey to America, & their life in America. Beautiful art work by Dan Andreasen.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of Mary Antin who found freedom and equality when her family immigrated to America.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on autobiography of Mary Antin, an child immigrant from Russia in 1894. Mary moved to Boston with her family and soon had a poem about George Washington printed in the Boston Herald. Gives a look at the hardships in Russia and reasons for wanting to move to US. Also shows that US doesn't have streets of gold although freedom can feel like that.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching true story of Russian family immigrating to Boston in the 1890s. Beautiful illustrations. Made me cry.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

*sigh* "That was a long story to read aloud, Mommy."