An American Spring: Sofia's Immigrant Diary

Sofia's Immigrant Diary #3

by Kathryn Lasky

In her third and final diary, by Kathryn Lasky, Sofia continues to face the hardship of her new life in America with her cheerful and courageous spirit.

Sofia continues to chronicle life in her new home, the North End of Boston, as her best friend Maureen comes to live with her, and her parents open their own store. Sofia describes the daily hardships and joys that she meets as a new American.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Diary, Middle Grade, Historical, Chapter Books

112 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published May 1, 2004

About the author

Kathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book in the series finds the Monari family settled into life in Boston's North End. It's the middle of fall, and American holidays are exciting with their traditions and often playful moods. Halloween and Thanksgiving are noted, with Halloween getting the most page time. I liked how sometimes neglected elements were brought in, it wasn't just about the costumes and tricks, but also about the legends and lore with visits to ghostly cemeteries and the reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Each day in their new country brings expanding opportunities for employment and success. Mama and Papa have their store, sister Gabriella finds her calling, and even young Sofia contemplates her future career options. Acclimation does not come entirely easy though, with health and financial challenges along the way, but good friends assist where they can.

For such a short children's book, the story manages to pack in a lot of historical detail especially that concerning the Boston area, such as the Revolutionary War, Salem witches, Paul Revere, the Boston Tea Party, Increase and Cotton Mather, and Fenway Court and Isabella Stewart Gardner. Many North End landmarks are mentioned including Copp's Hill, the Old North Church, Beacon Hill, and several streets. Sofia and Maureen work on a school project called the Freedom Treasure Hunt that parallels the current day Freedom Trail. I am not familiar with Boston so I looked up some of the mentioned names and places to gain a better sense of the area and the history.

This last book really focuses strongly on history, and manages to do it in an interesting and stimulating way; I was captivated by the Monaris. I do like to read about people moving somewhere foreign to them and seeing how they get along (or don't) as they strive to first survive, learn and adapt, and then hopefully ultimately flourish in their new home. Lasky's fictional account shows that discovering good friends, helping others, and recognizing and pursuing opportunities are the keystones of success. Recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction that isn't heavy-handed and dry and offers just a light overview/refresher.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book with the Italian words they would throw in. It gave the book more excitement. It is more along the lines of just reading a journal entry from the little girl; however you still feel as if you are there. You don't hear much about discrimination against Irish Catholics back in the 1900's so that was an interesting story.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten year old Sofia Monari is writing a diary describing her Italian immigrant family's life in Boston's North End. It's 1903, and Maureen, an Irish girl Sofia met in quarantine, has come to live with the Monaris after her mother died and her father and siblings returned to Ireland. Sofia describes her adventures with Maureen as they learn more about America, go to school, celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and help Sofia's older sister, Gabriella, begin a dressmaking business.

This book probably connects to a lot of immigrants lives, considering that it's historical fiction. It also, very loosely, connects to adolescence. Sofia doesn't really understand being an American just like kids don't really understand growing up. Sofia has to deal with cruelty from people who think they're better then her which almost everyone does.

I would recommend this book to third graders who are just learning about immigration. It was a good book but WAY too easy for me. It was fairly well written, had an interesting plot, and good characters. Over all it was an OK to good book but way way WAY too easy for an 8th grader.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Sofia Monari continues her diary describing her Italian immigrant family's life in Boston's North End. It's October of 1903, and Maureen, an Irish girl Sofia met in quarantine, has come to live with the Monaris after her mother dies and her father and siblings return to Ireland. Sofia describes her adventures with Maureen as they learn more about America; go to school; celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and help Sofia's older sister, Gabriella, begin a dressmaking business. Young readers who enjoyed the previous two books about Sofia, as well as other books in the My America series, will definitely enjoy this book.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sofia is nine years old. She and her family immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. Sofia had some trouble at Ellis Island and didn't get to rejoin her family for a while. She later contracted polio and has to use a crutch to walk.

Part of the story deals with Sofia and her friend Maureen as they get ready for and go out on Halloween. Another part of the story deals with Sofia and others working on clothing for a rich woman.

Basically, it's sort of a tidying-up third book in the series with it being more about Sofia's daily life than anything majorly historical.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

the most fun was when the students had to find the clues to all the historical places in boston

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story and historical note didn’t need to spend so much time on the Revolution, since My America already had a trilogy for that (though they focused on different cities).

[Terry Filkohazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Interesting to read about what life was like in Boston in 1903

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well told conclusion to the series.

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

remember the cover just not the story