Taking Root: Jewish Immigrants in America

by Milton Meltzer

Discusses the historical reasons for the Jewish migration to America in the nineteenth and early twentieth century and the accompanying problems of the journey and their adjustment here in the face of prejudice and intolerable living and working conditions.

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Milton Meltzer wrote 110 books, five of which were nominated for the National Book Award. With Langston Hughes, he co-authored A Pictorial History of Black Americans, now in its sixth edition. He received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contribution to children's literature, the 1986 Jane Addams Peace Association Children's Book Award, and the 2000 Regina Medal. He died in New York City of esophageal cancer at age 94.

Reviews

[Davida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting bits of history in this book, many of which had me dreaming about my ancestors and their lives.

The passage on pages 131-132 about agriculture and Jews in America is interesting. Spoiler alert: it didn't work. However, the mention of different farm experiments like New Odessa in Oregon (!) left me wanting to know more.

The section about dropping the old ways and trying to become American on pages 145-146 is good. It talks about changing your name, dressing in a different way, learning English, etc.

Chapter 13 "The Melting Pot Leaks," starting on page 158, basically describes white supremacy without using those exact words and how Jews needed to assimilate to the White Anglo-Saxon Protestant ways to be accepted in America.

Chapter 14 "Settlements in the Slums" about the settlement houses like Hull House that provided education and social activities.