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Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story
It’s 1900, and sixteen-year-old Helen comes alone in steerage across the Atlantic from a small village in Lithuania, fleeing terrible anti-Semitism and persecution. She arrives at Ellis Island, and finds a place to live in the colorful Lower East Side of New York. She quickly finds a job in the thriving garment industry and, like millions of others who are coming to America during this time, devotes herself to bringing the rest of her family to join her in the New World, refusing to rest until her family is safe in New York.
A few at a time, Helen’s family members arrive. Each goes to work with the same fervor she has and contributes everything to bringing over their remaining beloved family members in a chain of migration. Helen meanwhile, makes friends and—once the whole family is safe in New York—falls in love with a man who introduces her to a different New York—a New York of wonder, beauty, and possibility.
A few at a time, Helen’s family members arrive. Each goes to work with the same fervor she has and contributes everything to bringing over their remaining beloved family members in a chain of migration. Helen meanwhile, makes friends and—once the whole family is safe in New York—falls in love with a man who introduces her to a different New York—a New York of wonder, beauty, and possibility.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2020
22 people are currently reading
2127 people want to read
About the author
Mary Helen Fein
3 books15 followersMary Helen Fein was born in New York City, in 1943. She attended schools in New York and began writing at the age of twelve when her mother died. Writing has ever since been an important part of her life, a way to understand and process life’s events. Mary Helen holds a BA in English literature from Temple University and an MS in computer science engineering from the University of Pennsylvania; she also studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, America’s oldest art school, for two years. Today she lives in Northern California, where she owns her own website design company, writes, paints, and teaches Insight meditation. In 2014, she published her first novel, Loss of Deliverance―the story of a young woman’s adventures in the drug trade during the 1960s.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 6, 2025
3 "a lovely tribute but heavy on over-idealization and schmaltz" stars !!!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and She Writes Press for an ecopy. This was released June 2020. I am providing an honest review.
So I had to consult with 11 year old Jaidee on this one and went back through time to chat with the young whippersnapper on what he thought and felt as he was reading.
We both agree that that the prime reading audience would be 11 to 14 year old girls (mostly) who are interested in history.
This was written as a loving tribute to the author's grandmother life and is the story of her upbringing in Lithuania and the family's journey to New York City (early 20th century) to escape anti-semitism and the draft for her brothers who would be conscripted for 25 years at the ages of 12 for the Russian Tzar. The story is full of so much respect and love and admiration. There is also plenty of education around varieties of Jewish living. The ship crossing was particularly vivid and exciting for both the older and younger Jaidee. The connection to family and the goodness of people was moving and reconnected oneself to more wholesome and important values.
The older Jaidee felt that the over-idealization of peoples' motivations and actions as well as the schmaltziness of the romance detracted from what could have been an excellent YA historical family history. There also needed to be more interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict to make this a more believable and impactful read. I felt that the author was healing some of her own childhood wounds by highly romanticizing her grandmother's saintliness. Despite this I found it a most worthwhile and sometimes very moving read. The prose vacillated from charming and direct to cloying and amateurish (especially towards the end).
Younger 11 year old Jaidee "Some of this book was really cool and exciting. I learned an awful lot about history, Lithuania, New York and Jewish living. Some of it was just kind of boring and girly.
The romance was a bit icky but still glad I read it."
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and She Writes Press for an ecopy. This was released June 2020. I am providing an honest review.
So I had to consult with 11 year old Jaidee on this one and went back through time to chat with the young whippersnapper on what he thought and felt as he was reading.
We both agree that that the prime reading audience would be 11 to 14 year old girls (mostly) who are interested in history.
This was written as a loving tribute to the author's grandmother life and is the story of her upbringing in Lithuania and the family's journey to New York City (early 20th century) to escape anti-semitism and the draft for her brothers who would be conscripted for 25 years at the ages of 12 for the Russian Tzar. The story is full of so much respect and love and admiration. There is also plenty of education around varieties of Jewish living. The ship crossing was particularly vivid and exciting for both the older and younger Jaidee. The connection to family and the goodness of people was moving and reconnected oneself to more wholesome and important values.
The older Jaidee felt that the over-idealization of peoples' motivations and actions as well as the schmaltziness of the romance detracted from what could have been an excellent YA historical family history. There also needed to be more interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict to make this a more believable and impactful read. I felt that the author was healing some of her own childhood wounds by highly romanticizing her grandmother's saintliness. Despite this I found it a most worthwhile and sometimes very moving read. The prose vacillated from charming and direct to cloying and amateurish (especially towards the end).
Younger 11 year old Jaidee "Some of this book was really cool and exciting. I learned an awful lot about history, Lithuania, New York and Jewish living. Some of it was just kind of boring and girly.
The romance was a bit icky but still glad I read it."
July 7, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley, She Writes Press, Mary Helen Fein for my copy of Stitching a Life.
Lithuania 1900, Hinde Breakstone is 16; she looks after her three little brothers and cooks the family’s dinner while her parents work at the compound dairy. Her oldest brother Max is about to turn 12, any day he could be pressed into the Russian Army and they have created a place for him to hide. The army conscripts young Jewish boys at 12, Hinde has to hide Max once, her family knows it’s only a matter of time before the Russian soldiers return and if Max is taken and they may never see him again.
Hinde has no idea her parents already have a plan, her father has a cousin Rose who lives in America, the family are going to immigrate to America and cousin Rose will help. But it’s expensive; her father will leave first, save money and send for Hinde. Once Hinde is in America they will both work and save up to pay for Max’s fare and once they have enough money her mother and her three younger brothers will join them.
After her father leaves for America, Hinde nervously waits months for her father’s letter to arrive and finally it does. He’s paid for her ticket to leave Lithuania; she boards a ship on her own and sets sail across the other side of the world. She’s traveling in steerage and luckily she meets another girl Rebecca they become friends and they help each other during the journey.
Both girls are worried about the medical check at Ellis Island, anyone sick isn’t allowed to enter the country and they have nothing to worry about. Father and daughter are reunited, Hinde stays with Rose, changes her name to Helen and she starts work at a factory sewing boy’s knickerbockers. By working hard eventually the entire Breakstone family is reunited, it changes their lives for the better and future generations of their family prosper in America.
Stitching a Life is based on the true story of Helen Breakstone Fein and the author Mary Helen Fein is her granddaughter. I enjoyed reading the book; it’s an uplifting story about a family immigrating to America and especially how strong and brave Helen was at only 16. The book is classed as Young Adult Fiction, it’s suitable for all ages to read and I gave it four stars. I have shared my review on Goodreads, NetGalley, Amazon Australia, Kobo, Twitter and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Lithuania 1900, Hinde Breakstone is 16; she looks after her three little brothers and cooks the family’s dinner while her parents work at the compound dairy. Her oldest brother Max is about to turn 12, any day he could be pressed into the Russian Army and they have created a place for him to hide. The army conscripts young Jewish boys at 12, Hinde has to hide Max once, her family knows it’s only a matter of time before the Russian soldiers return and if Max is taken and they may never see him again.
Hinde has no idea her parents already have a plan, her father has a cousin Rose who lives in America, the family are going to immigrate to America and cousin Rose will help. But it’s expensive; her father will leave first, save money and send for Hinde. Once Hinde is in America they will both work and save up to pay for Max’s fare and once they have enough money her mother and her three younger brothers will join them.
After her father leaves for America, Hinde nervously waits months for her father’s letter to arrive and finally it does. He’s paid for her ticket to leave Lithuania; she boards a ship on her own and sets sail across the other side of the world. She’s traveling in steerage and luckily she meets another girl Rebecca they become friends and they help each other during the journey.
Both girls are worried about the medical check at Ellis Island, anyone sick isn’t allowed to enter the country and they have nothing to worry about. Father and daughter are reunited, Hinde stays with Rose, changes her name to Helen and she starts work at a factory sewing boy’s knickerbockers. By working hard eventually the entire Breakstone family is reunited, it changes their lives for the better and future generations of their family prosper in America.
Stitching a Life is based on the true story of Helen Breakstone Fein and the author Mary Helen Fein is her granddaughter. I enjoyed reading the book; it’s an uplifting story about a family immigrating to America and especially how strong and brave Helen was at only 16. The book is classed as Young Adult Fiction, it’s suitable for all ages to read and I gave it four stars. I have shared my review on Goodreads, NetGalley, Amazon Australia, Kobo, Twitter and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
February 17, 2022
Loved this; review coming soon!
*I received an ARC of this from Netgalley. All reviews and opinions are strictly my own views.*
Thank you, Netgalley, for obliging my request for this book! I knew as soon as I read the description it was a must-read, and it did not disappoint!
This was wonderful historical fiction about immigration at the turn of the century.. I’ve visited Ellis Island several times, and I still learned things that I hadn’t known before reading this book.. I was particularly interested in the information about “Reform Judaism”; Jews that practice this do not believe that every word of the Bible is literally true, and do believe in studying scientific facts for knowledge. The way the author took the immigration adventures of her grandmother and turned them into a novel was fantastic, especially when historical notes were included at the end. Next time I visit New York I want to see a lot of the places that were mentioned, like Coney Island!
Some very important themes run throughout this book; the love of family, the importance of hard work, and community helpfulness. This entire family, from oldest to youngest, was willing to pull together and do whatever it took to make their “American Dream” a reality. There was no griping or whining expressed; what needed to be done got done through sheer work and determination.
I would recommend this book to middle-graders, Y.A. readers, their teachers, and all history buffs! Thanks again, Netgalley! I’ll be looking for the print copy when it’s released in June 2020.
*I received an ARC of this from Netgalley. All reviews and opinions are strictly my own views.*
Thank you, Netgalley, for obliging my request for this book! I knew as soon as I read the description it was a must-read, and it did not disappoint!
This was wonderful historical fiction about immigration at the turn of the century.. I’ve visited Ellis Island several times, and I still learned things that I hadn’t known before reading this book.. I was particularly interested in the information about “Reform Judaism”; Jews that practice this do not believe that every word of the Bible is literally true, and do believe in studying scientific facts for knowledge. The way the author took the immigration adventures of her grandmother and turned them into a novel was fantastic, especially when historical notes were included at the end. Next time I visit New York I want to see a lot of the places that were mentioned, like Coney Island!
Some very important themes run throughout this book; the love of family, the importance of hard work, and community helpfulness. This entire family, from oldest to youngest, was willing to pull together and do whatever it took to make their “American Dream” a reality. There was no griping or whining expressed; what needed to be done got done through sheer work and determination.
I would recommend this book to middle-graders, Y.A. readers, their teachers, and all history buffs! Thanks again, Netgalley! I’ll be looking for the print copy when it’s released in June 2020.
September 8, 2021
This was a great book, and I loved the fact that it was based off true events from the author's own grandmother! It was a very touching family story, and appropriate for all ages. Great job.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for my copy of this book. All reviews expressed are my own, and I have not been obligated to leave a positive review.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for my copy of this book. All reviews expressed are my own, and I have not been obligated to leave a positive review.
May 17, 2020
Stitching a Life is based on the author’s grandmother’s journey from Lithuania to New York City in the early 1900s.
I liked the introduction to Stitching a Life, and I felt it helped me as a reader to understand what the author was hoping to accomplish. It opens up with Hinde hiding her brother Max in a hole to avoid the Russian soldiers who come looking for him. The Army conscripts young Jewish boys around twelve for twenty-five years or possibly more, which is how old Max is. Lithuania is a part of the Russian Empire that is very anti-Semitic and has indoctrinated the (non- Jewish) people who used to be friendly with Hinde and her family not to treat them well. The Russian Tsars mandated all Jews had to move to the outlying areas, no Jew can live in a city, thus reducing their ability to earn a good wage. The Pale of Settlement is an area that Jews were restricted from 1791- 1917. It is very hard to live under the current living conditions, and after the incident with Russian soldiers looking for Max, Hinde learns of the plan her parents have until now, kept from her and her siblings. They will leave the old country for the United States to start a new life, one that doesn’t restrict them because of their religion and faith beliefs.
First, Hinde’s father will sail over to the United States, find work, and then send for Hinde to come overseas to work to bring her brother Max, and eventually the rest of the Breakstone family.
I really appreciated this since my own paternal grandparents came over from Ukraine to Canada during the early 1900s to escape the harsh abuse at the hand of the Russian Empire. It had never occurred to me that grandparents and their siblings were living in the Pale of Settlement, and thus under this harsh environment. I don’t have these kinds of memories or knowledge that Ms. Fein does about her Nana in the old country and making a new life for herself and her family.
I enjoy reading historical novels, and while it was a story, it didn’t create much of what I would come to expect from reading other books in the historical genre. It was very character-driven and while there is nothing wrong with that, I found I kept waiting for something more to happen, some kind of twist to keep the reader coming back to read more. Despite this, I did enjoy reading it.
My Gratitude to NetGalley and She Writes Press. All opinions expressed are my own.
I liked the introduction to Stitching a Life, and I felt it helped me as a reader to understand what the author was hoping to accomplish. It opens up with Hinde hiding her brother Max in a hole to avoid the Russian soldiers who come looking for him. The Army conscripts young Jewish boys around twelve for twenty-five years or possibly more, which is how old Max is. Lithuania is a part of the Russian Empire that is very anti-Semitic and has indoctrinated the (non- Jewish) people who used to be friendly with Hinde and her family not to treat them well. The Russian Tsars mandated all Jews had to move to the outlying areas, no Jew can live in a city, thus reducing their ability to earn a good wage. The Pale of Settlement is an area that Jews were restricted from 1791- 1917. It is very hard to live under the current living conditions, and after the incident with Russian soldiers looking for Max, Hinde learns of the plan her parents have until now, kept from her and her siblings. They will leave the old country for the United States to start a new life, one that doesn’t restrict them because of their religion and faith beliefs.
First, Hinde’s father will sail over to the United States, find work, and then send for Hinde to come overseas to work to bring her brother Max, and eventually the rest of the Breakstone family.
I really appreciated this since my own paternal grandparents came over from Ukraine to Canada during the early 1900s to escape the harsh abuse at the hand of the Russian Empire. It had never occurred to me that grandparents and their siblings were living in the Pale of Settlement, and thus under this harsh environment. I don’t have these kinds of memories or knowledge that Ms. Fein does about her Nana in the old country and making a new life for herself and her family.
I enjoy reading historical novels, and while it was a story, it didn’t create much of what I would come to expect from reading other books in the historical genre. It was very character-driven and while there is nothing wrong with that, I found I kept waiting for something more to happen, some kind of twist to keep the reader coming back to read more. Despite this, I did enjoy reading it.
My Gratitude to NetGalley and She Writes Press. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 30, 2020
"Stitching a Life" focuses on Hinde, a young girl from Lithuania. Needing to help her and her family escape from the hardships of her country, she makes a journey to the Ellis Island, New York after her father to start a new life and help him make money to bring the rest of their family over as well. This book follows in a chronological order throughout Hinde's years of transitioning to life in a new country, away from the dangers of life in Lithuania in the 1900s. This book was an immigration story showing the hardships of immigration, and the journey of a girl and her family working towards the American Dream.
This book was very enjoyable. Even more enjoyable when I found out this book was based on Mary Helen Fein's grandmother. It highlights the journey of a teenage girl who wants to bring her family to America so they may experience freedom. What I liked about the book was Hinde. She was a very likeable, hardworking character. The only thing I would have to say about this is that it felt a little slow for me, it just didn't have anything that made me want to read it very quickly. The book was very sad in the beginning and then quickly transitioned to happy, it felt like two different stories. The romance portion was pretty cute as well. The whole book just kind of fell flat for me. Nonetheless, it was a nice light read about a girl and her family working towards a new life away from their old country.
Overall, this book was nice and easy to read. I loved that it was based on the author's grandmother which was so cool to think about while reading. This book would be perfect for anyone wanting a light read that's about overcoming hardships and working towards your goals.
This book was very enjoyable. Even more enjoyable when I found out this book was based on Mary Helen Fein's grandmother. It highlights the journey of a teenage girl who wants to bring her family to America so they may experience freedom. What I liked about the book was Hinde. She was a very likeable, hardworking character. The only thing I would have to say about this is that it felt a little slow for me, it just didn't have anything that made me want to read it very quickly. The book was very sad in the beginning and then quickly transitioned to happy, it felt like two different stories. The romance portion was pretty cute as well. The whole book just kind of fell flat for me. Nonetheless, it was a nice light read about a girl and her family working towards a new life away from their old country.
Overall, this book was nice and easy to read. I loved that it was based on the author's grandmother which was so cool to think about while reading. This book would be perfect for anyone wanting a light read that's about overcoming hardships and working towards your goals.
June 20, 2020
Based on the true story of the author's grandmother and how her family immigrated to the United States in the early 1900's.
Hinde and her family are Jews in Lithuania, oppressed by the Russian government. Her father goes to America first, later sending for her, and together they work to bring the rest of their family over.
I think that this book does a good job of showing one family's story, contrasting what they left with what they came to. I thought it interesting how often it was clarified for reader that Hinde's family were more culturally and reformed Jewish rather than Orthodox, and didn't believe the Bible as a literal text. I guess I didn't feel like I needed to be told this information so specifically more than once or twice.
This was an intriguing story, even more so in that is based on a true one. I really enjoyed the author's notes at the end telling of what happened to the family and how she fits into everything. This story in some ways seems to be written for more of a middle-grade audience, and while well researched it tends towards telling and over explaining feeling rather than showing with words. And as the story progressed I found myself skimming more often.
I received a complimentary ebook. Opinions are my own.
Hinde and her family are Jews in Lithuania, oppressed by the Russian government. Her father goes to America first, later sending for her, and together they work to bring the rest of their family over.
I think that this book does a good job of showing one family's story, contrasting what they left with what they came to. I thought it interesting how often it was clarified for reader that Hinde's family were more culturally and reformed Jewish rather than Orthodox, and didn't believe the Bible as a literal text. I guess I didn't feel like I needed to be told this information so specifically more than once or twice.
This was an intriguing story, even more so in that is based on a true one. I really enjoyed the author's notes at the end telling of what happened to the family and how she fits into everything. This story in some ways seems to be written for more of a middle-grade audience, and while well researched it tends towards telling and over explaining feeling rather than showing with words. And as the story progressed I found myself skimming more often.
I received a complimentary ebook. Opinions are my own.
May 30, 2020
What I Loved:
Following the story of Helen from Lithuania to America was just wonderful. Helen is the kind of character you just need to see succeed. I loved reading about her story and her determination.
My Synopsis:
This historical fiction is based on the author’s grandmother’s experiences but is a work of fiction. Helen (Hinde), just sixteen-years-old, lives in war-torn Lithuania where Jewish people are persecuted daily. At her brother’s 12th birthday, the army comes to take him away to force him into their ranks. After hiding him during the army’s visit, the family knows that they must leave to keep their children safe.
Helen’s father is first to go to America, working to save enough money to bring Helen over next so that she can assist in working and saving money to bring the next family member over until everyone is safely in America.
Helen travels by ship from Lithuania to America in search of a better, safer life for her and her family. She begins work in the garment section of New York and works hard to bring her siblings to America.
How I Felt:
Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story follows Helen on her journey to America and her life there. It was a beautiful story featuring a determined, hardworking main character, and her love for her family.
The main character is Helen, named Hinde early in the story. At just sixteen years old, she showed such amazing strength. I really enjoyed her character, and I feel like she is someone that young readers can look up to. She has a beautiful character arc as she grows and finds her way in this new world.
There is a lot of discussion of antisemitism and the impact on families. I think that this would make an excellent book for a middle school, high school, or college class, or book club discussion. There is a lot to be learned from the actions of the Jewish and non-Jewish people throughout the story, and it would make for a very interesting conversation.
Overall, this was a lovely story that was heartwarming and featured one family’s immigration story, but it is one that can resonate with a huge audience.
Content Warnings:
Anti-semitism.
To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story for readers that enjoy historical fiction, stories of family, or immigration.
This was an easy read with a very straightforward story that could be read by a junior high, high school, YA, or adult reader.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My full review of this book will post to my blog on 6/5/20. All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
Following the story of Helen from Lithuania to America was just wonderful. Helen is the kind of character you just need to see succeed. I loved reading about her story and her determination.
My Synopsis:
This historical fiction is based on the author’s grandmother’s experiences but is a work of fiction. Helen (Hinde), just sixteen-years-old, lives in war-torn Lithuania where Jewish people are persecuted daily. At her brother’s 12th birthday, the army comes to take him away to force him into their ranks. After hiding him during the army’s visit, the family knows that they must leave to keep their children safe.
Helen’s father is first to go to America, working to save enough money to bring Helen over next so that she can assist in working and saving money to bring the next family member over until everyone is safely in America.
Helen travels by ship from Lithuania to America in search of a better, safer life for her and her family. She begins work in the garment section of New York and works hard to bring her siblings to America.
How I Felt:
Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story follows Helen on her journey to America and her life there. It was a beautiful story featuring a determined, hardworking main character, and her love for her family.
The main character is Helen, named Hinde early in the story. At just sixteen years old, she showed such amazing strength. I really enjoyed her character, and I feel like she is someone that young readers can look up to. She has a beautiful character arc as she grows and finds her way in this new world.
There is a lot of discussion of antisemitism and the impact on families. I think that this would make an excellent book for a middle school, high school, or college class, or book club discussion. There is a lot to be learned from the actions of the Jewish and non-Jewish people throughout the story, and it would make for a very interesting conversation.
Overall, this was a lovely story that was heartwarming and featured one family’s immigration story, but it is one that can resonate with a huge audience.
Content Warnings:
Anti-semitism.
To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story for readers that enjoy historical fiction, stories of family, or immigration.
This was an easy read with a very straightforward story that could be read by a junior high, high school, YA, or adult reader.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My full review of this book will post to my blog on 6/5/20. All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
April 30, 2020
Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was an excellent glimpse of immigrant life in America in the 1900s. The author clearly did a lot of research and it was neat to read that she actually pulled from the life of her own grandmother. The main character, Helen, comes from Lithuania escaping antisemitism to work in the garment industry in NY. Helen's coming of age and figuring out relationships with family, friends, God and boys is well paced. This novel was again very detailed and more of something that I would recommend for classroom reading rather than just pleasure reading of historical fiction. Great read!
June 24, 2020
This is an immigration story with a happy middle and end, if not beginning. I was unfamiliar with Lithuania so this story was interesting to me and sent me googling about this small country that has been bounced around by anti-Semitism and wars. Although I knew a bit about the Lower East Side and its rapid growth, I enjoyed being taken inside a "schmatta" factory, particularly because the book I'm currently writing features a family of women who are seamstresses and lacemakers. Although I'm not sure how this book is being marketed, it seems a good choice for inclusion in a high school class featuring books about the time period or the history of immigration.
April 23, 2020
Stitching a Life by Mary Helen Fein is such a passionate story. As soon as I saw the title and the description, I knew I wanted to get lost in this book. That I did! This is the first I have read by this author and I am hooked.
I felt like I was right there with each character. There is so much detail in this YA story about immigration, Lithuania, arriving in New York, family and love.. I learned so much from this story.. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to get lost in a page-turner!
I felt like I was right there with each character. There is so much detail in this YA story about immigration, Lithuania, arriving in New York, family and love.. I learned so much from this story.. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to get lost in a page-turner!
June 10, 2020
Peaceful and Serene.
A beautiful historical fiction novel that weaves in the family history of the author's beloved grandmother, Helen Breakstone Fein. A jew escaping anti-antisemitic Russia to enter and find her place in the New World during the 1900's along with her parents and five siblings.
To me it was more interesting knowing how personal it was to the author. I felt like I was in a coffee shop listening to a friend tell me about her family history. The worries and hate the Breakstones endured in Russia, the difficult sacrifices parents commit to make sure their children have the best future possible, to what is really involved in immigration and what it means to start a new life in a new world leaving comfort, family and memories behind. I loved the pace and tone Mary took in writing the book, it was genuine and authentic. I appreciated that it did not have paragraphs of dialogue or an excessive amount of historical fiction research. Though still very well research, I thought it was sufficient for the direction and focus of her story. Although, it is based on a true story Mary made it a fictional novel and in my opinion I thought there could of been a more heightened plot.
Overall, this read was a joy. The more pages I turned the more comfort I felt.
Thank you She Writes Press through Netgalley for approving my request to read this lovely story.
A beautiful historical fiction novel that weaves in the family history of the author's beloved grandmother, Helen Breakstone Fein. A jew escaping anti-antisemitic Russia to enter and find her place in the New World during the 1900's along with her parents and five siblings.
To me it was more interesting knowing how personal it was to the author. I felt like I was in a coffee shop listening to a friend tell me about her family history. The worries and hate the Breakstones endured in Russia, the difficult sacrifices parents commit to make sure their children have the best future possible, to what is really involved in immigration and what it means to start a new life in a new world leaving comfort, family and memories behind. I loved the pace and tone Mary took in writing the book, it was genuine and authentic. I appreciated that it did not have paragraphs of dialogue or an excessive amount of historical fiction research. Though still very well research, I thought it was sufficient for the direction and focus of her story. Although, it is based on a true story Mary made it a fictional novel and in my opinion I thought there could of been a more heightened plot.
Overall, this read was a joy. The more pages I turned the more comfort I felt.
Thank you She Writes Press through Netgalley for approving my request to read this lovely story.
April 5, 2025
A historical fiction based on the authors grandmothers immigration from Lithuanian to New York in 1900. A story for all ages.
May 5, 2020
Stitching a Life is a semi-biographical retelling the life of Fein’s grandmother Hinde/Helen. It’s always fascinating to read about the incredible stories of real life people, so this was a real treat!
The best thing about this novel is the amount of research that Fein has evidently put into it. Although as a semi-biographical novel the main bulk of the story is already mapped out, it is clear that Fein put a lot of effort into bringing the novel to life with realistic descriptions and ideas. Fein absolutely excels in characterisation – the moment in which Helen is united with her family sticks in my mind for the sheer emotion in Fein’s writing. Her descriptions are also incredibly vivid without losing sight of the plot. Whilst reading about Helen’s journey across the Atlantic, I felt a bit seasick given how absorbed I was in this particular part of the story.
‘Her new name would be Helen. No more Hinde from Lithuania. She would now be Helen of New York. She would be strong and free and Powerful. This was where she was meant to be.’
Another notable thing about this story is Fein’s writing style – of which I’m unsure if it was intentional or not. Given that Helen was not a native English speaker, Fein writes in a way that shows this without being to overt. Often times an author can be too exaggerated with this style of writing, so I appreciate Fein’s subtlety.
I only hesitate in giving the novel five stars because it ended rather abruptly. I simply wish I could have read a little more about Helen’s life in New York! But overall Stitching a Life is a fantastic look into the story of a 20th century immigrant. It provides a fulfilling story, whilst introducing the reader to a well-known topic from a different angle. I recommend this to anyone looking to further their knowledge of the era.
The best thing about this novel is the amount of research that Fein has evidently put into it. Although as a semi-biographical novel the main bulk of the story is already mapped out, it is clear that Fein put a lot of effort into bringing the novel to life with realistic descriptions and ideas. Fein absolutely excels in characterisation – the moment in which Helen is united with her family sticks in my mind for the sheer emotion in Fein’s writing. Her descriptions are also incredibly vivid without losing sight of the plot. Whilst reading about Helen’s journey across the Atlantic, I felt a bit seasick given how absorbed I was in this particular part of the story.
‘Her new name would be Helen. No more Hinde from Lithuania. She would now be Helen of New York. She would be strong and free and Powerful. This was where she was meant to be.’
Another notable thing about this story is Fein’s writing style – of which I’m unsure if it was intentional or not. Given that Helen was not a native English speaker, Fein writes in a way that shows this without being to overt. Often times an author can be too exaggerated with this style of writing, so I appreciate Fein’s subtlety.
I only hesitate in giving the novel five stars because it ended rather abruptly. I simply wish I could have read a little more about Helen’s life in New York! But overall Stitching a Life is a fantastic look into the story of a 20th century immigrant. It provides a fulfilling story, whilst introducing the reader to a well-known topic from a different angle. I recommend this to anyone looking to further their knowledge of the era.
June 12, 2020
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story is a compelling story, adapted from the diary of Ms. Fein’s grandmother. It is a compelling story about immigration and one everyone should read.
Helen, born Hinde, comes to America in 1900, following her father from their small village in Lithuania, in the hopes of saving enough money to get the rest of their family out and away from the terrible anti-Semitism and persecution.
This novel is critical because many forget that we are all descendants of immigrants. Unless one is a Native American, everyone is an immigrant. Immigration is the foundation of America; it was built by immigrants who worked long and hard to make a life for themselves. This novel also highlights the reason for immigration.
Helen and her family are Jewish, and in Lithuania, they face great persecution for their beliefs. Not only that but the Russian army conscripts any young Jewish boy age 12 or over where they face terrible treatment. Helen’s brother faces that fate unless they escape.
Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story was a compelling read because it reminds readers why people come to America, why they risk everything to come to this country. They want the freedom to be who they are; want the freedom to practice their beliefs; they want the freedom to live their lives without fear.
Helen and her family also face their challenges during there journey. They come face to face with the challenges that accompany going to a new land. However, they find a home in America, they make a life for themselves and it is incredible to see this story unfold.
Final Thoughts
Fein uses her imagination and her grandmother’s words to educate readers while also making her grandmother relatable to the reader. She gives her grandmother a strong personality, a compassionate and thoughtful narrative to break the world of fiction with non-fiction. It moves at an incredible pace and leaves the reader with hope for the future.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story is a compelling story, adapted from the diary of Ms. Fein’s grandmother. It is a compelling story about immigration and one everyone should read.
Helen, born Hinde, comes to America in 1900, following her father from their small village in Lithuania, in the hopes of saving enough money to get the rest of their family out and away from the terrible anti-Semitism and persecution.
This novel is critical because many forget that we are all descendants of immigrants. Unless one is a Native American, everyone is an immigrant. Immigration is the foundation of America; it was built by immigrants who worked long and hard to make a life for themselves. This novel also highlights the reason for immigration.
Helen and her family are Jewish, and in Lithuania, they face great persecution for their beliefs. Not only that but the Russian army conscripts any young Jewish boy age 12 or over where they face terrible treatment. Helen’s brother faces that fate unless they escape.
Stitching a Life: An Immigration Story was a compelling read because it reminds readers why people come to America, why they risk everything to come to this country. They want the freedom to be who they are; want the freedom to practice their beliefs; they want the freedom to live their lives without fear.
Helen and her family also face their challenges during there journey. They come face to face with the challenges that accompany going to a new land. However, they find a home in America, they make a life for themselves and it is incredible to see this story unfold.
Final Thoughts
Fein uses her imagination and her grandmother’s words to educate readers while also making her grandmother relatable to the reader. She gives her grandmother a strong personality, a compassionate and thoughtful narrative to break the world of fiction with non-fiction. It moves at an incredible pace and leaves the reader with hope for the future.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
April 16, 2020
Stitching a Life by Mary Helen Fein is an enjoyable and interesting novel that is part biography and part historical fiction.
The author discusses in detail how she found inspiration in the story of her grandmother, Helen Breakstone Fein, and her story of immigration to the States to create a better life. She details all of the known facts, the research she did in reading and in person, and what details she filled in to create a great narrative.
We first meet Helen when she and her family are still experiencing the harrowing situation in Russia (a part of Russia that is now Lithuania). We see the hardships that she and her family are facing as Jewish citizens and all of the potential tragedies that could befall them if they stay.
We then get to follow along as Helen and her family immigrate at the turn of the 20th century to create a new, and safer existence.
They know that there will still be trials and tribulations in the new land, but opportunities exist that are not available in their volatile homeland.
It was interesting to take a peak inside one family’s immigration story and follow along to see the long-term outcomes of its members and descendants.
I truly enjoyed the book.
4/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.
The author discusses in detail how she found inspiration in the story of her grandmother, Helen Breakstone Fein, and her story of immigration to the States to create a better life. She details all of the known facts, the research she did in reading and in person, and what details she filled in to create a great narrative.
We first meet Helen when she and her family are still experiencing the harrowing situation in Russia (a part of Russia that is now Lithuania). We see the hardships that she and her family are facing as Jewish citizens and all of the potential tragedies that could befall them if they stay.
We then get to follow along as Helen and her family immigrate at the turn of the 20th century to create a new, and safer existence.
They know that there will still be trials and tribulations in the new land, but opportunities exist that are not available in their volatile homeland.
It was interesting to take a peak inside one family’s immigration story and follow along to see the long-term outcomes of its members and descendants.
I truly enjoyed the book.
4/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.
June 17, 2020
“All this was new, pieces of life stitching themselves together into new and ever-changing patterns”
If you are a historical fiction fan then this one is for you! I think we sometimes forget that the persecution of Jewish people does not start and stop with WWII. This has been going on for centuries! And this novel tells a story of the journey of a Jewish family circa 1900 looking to escape persecution from Lithuania!
I have learnt so many things that I didn’t know about. None of my family emigrated to America or to here (I’m Scottish and that’s just it! Boring!!) so I always find it very fascinating reading about the journey that was taken by people and their families!
The author has written this as a tribute to her grandmother Helen (Hinde) and her family as they set up a new life for themselves in New York. It is such a wonderful tribute and was a joy to read! I think her grandmother would be pleased with the outcome of this book!
I will say that the writing style is not the greatest. But i think that is just the style of these books! I also am not sure if it is because it is written about a family whom English is not their first language!
Truly lovely story about how one family would do anything, travelling to the other end of the world to ensure the protection of their 12 year old son and brother. And how Jewish communities and families stick together as one.
I would recommend giving it a read! I know you’ll enjoy it 😊
If you are a historical fiction fan then this one is for you! I think we sometimes forget that the persecution of Jewish people does not start and stop with WWII. This has been going on for centuries! And this novel tells a story of the journey of a Jewish family circa 1900 looking to escape persecution from Lithuania!
I have learnt so many things that I didn’t know about. None of my family emigrated to America or to here (I’m Scottish and that’s just it! Boring!!) so I always find it very fascinating reading about the journey that was taken by people and their families!
The author has written this as a tribute to her grandmother Helen (Hinde) and her family as they set up a new life for themselves in New York. It is such a wonderful tribute and was a joy to read! I think her grandmother would be pleased with the outcome of this book!
I will say that the writing style is not the greatest. But i think that is just the style of these books! I also am not sure if it is because it is written about a family whom English is not their first language!
Truly lovely story about how one family would do anything, travelling to the other end of the world to ensure the protection of their 12 year old son and brother. And how Jewish communities and families stick together as one.
I would recommend giving it a read! I know you’ll enjoy it 😊
March 20, 2021
Hinde Breakstone is a young Jewish teenager living in Lithuania in 1900 under oppressive Russian rule. Her immediate family is close with her extended family, all of them living in a compound together to create a semi-successful dairy business. This story takes place in the middle of the pogroms in the Russian empire: riots, propaganda and large scale forced enlistment in the Russian military at ages 12 for Jewish boys, all in an effort by the tsar to get rid of Jewish people. Hinde’s large immediate family of eight is desperate to immigrate to America, where they can be sure their children are safe. The novel follows Hinde, who changes her name to Helen, as she makes her journey to the New World, sets up a life and her family joins her. This novel is based on the author’s own grandmother and from the perspective of a sixteen year old girl. It’s definitely age appropriate for a younger audience and the writing reflected a more YA crowd. I was hoping for a little more technical information about the immigration process but again, considering the perspective is a sixteen year old girl, understood why there wouldn’t be more details. I think this is a great tribute to the immigrant genre and what I like about it, is that it can easily go into any upper elementary school or middle school library.
April 18, 2020
3.5 stars
After reading the summary of Stitching a Life by Mary Helen Fein I knew I wanted to read it. Based on true events from the author’s grandmother, this historical fiction tells the story of Helen’s journey to America from Lithuania.
I loved the author’s note and epilogue in this book. Both portrayed the author’s love and connection with her grandmother that the reader can feel in the pages of the story as well. The first three quarters of the book were filled with heartache, suspense, hope, and joy.
Fein describes the setting so well, that I felt I was walking alongside Helen as she stepped onto the SS Barbossa, saw the copper Lady Liberty, and touched the new land for the first time. I didn’t want to put the book down. My only critique was I selfishly wanted more in the last quarter of the book. Her courtship and marriage seemed rushed, and I wish we would have lingered there a little more.
I was left at the end of the book wanting to know more, which is a good thing. I wanted to know if she ever reached out to her shipmate, Rebecca. Did they become penpals, or visit each other?
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for this ARC! I truly enjoyed this book and wanted to share my voluntary and unbiased review and opinions.
After reading the summary of Stitching a Life by Mary Helen Fein I knew I wanted to read it. Based on true events from the author’s grandmother, this historical fiction tells the story of Helen’s journey to America from Lithuania.
I loved the author’s note and epilogue in this book. Both portrayed the author’s love and connection with her grandmother that the reader can feel in the pages of the story as well. The first three quarters of the book were filled with heartache, suspense, hope, and joy.
Fein describes the setting so well, that I felt I was walking alongside Helen as she stepped onto the SS Barbossa, saw the copper Lady Liberty, and touched the new land for the first time. I didn’t want to put the book down. My only critique was I selfishly wanted more in the last quarter of the book. Her courtship and marriage seemed rushed, and I wish we would have lingered there a little more.
I was left at the end of the book wanting to know more, which is a good thing. I wanted to know if she ever reached out to her shipmate, Rebecca. Did they become penpals, or visit each other?
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for this ARC! I truly enjoyed this book and wanted to share my voluntary and unbiased review and opinions.
June 4, 2020
“Her new name would be Helen. No more Hinde from Lithuania. She would now be Helen of New York. She would be strong and free and powerful. This was where she was meant to be.”
What I loved about this story is the author used her family stories and history to write it and I think that is incredibly special. My great-grandmother traveled from Russian to America in 1912 and came through Ellis Island. I would love more then anything to know her story. I think that it’s wonderful that the author has that and was able to use it to write a fictional story!
I loved the main character Helen. She loves her family and cares about all of them very much. It was also nice to watch her make friends and fall in love and just adapt so well to her new life in New York. What I think the story conveyed so well was how immigrants viewed America as opportunity for a better life and a new start.
My only very small complaint is that the dialogue felt choppy at time but also english is a second language for some of our characters. It doesn’t distract from the story but it’s just something little that I notice.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!
*I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a honest review*
What I loved about this story is the author used her family stories and history to write it and I think that is incredibly special. My great-grandmother traveled from Russian to America in 1912 and came through Ellis Island. I would love more then anything to know her story. I think that it’s wonderful that the author has that and was able to use it to write a fictional story!
I loved the main character Helen. She loves her family and cares about all of them very much. It was also nice to watch her make friends and fall in love and just adapt so well to her new life in New York. What I think the story conveyed so well was how immigrants viewed America as opportunity for a better life and a new start.
My only very small complaint is that the dialogue felt choppy at time but also english is a second language for some of our characters. It doesn’t distract from the story but it’s just something little that I notice.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!
*I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a honest review*
May 30, 2020
Based on the true story of the Grandmother of the author, Helen Breakstone Fein. Helen was born (Hinde) in a small village in Lithuania to a poor Jewish family with no prospects for improvement or education. Her brother was in danger of being drafted into the Russian army at the age of twelve, so her father devises a plan for his family to go to America. Chaim Breakstone immigrates first and sends money for sixteen-year-old Helen to join him. She arrives at Ellis Island, meets her father and moves into her Aunt Rose's apartment on the Lower East Side of New York. Rose helps Helen find a job in the thriving garment industry and she and her father devote themselves to bringing the rest of the family to join them in the New World. Helen and her family build a new life and settle in New York.
A young adult inspirational story of resilience against all odds, family, friendship and love. Combining fact with fiction Fein tells the brave story of her grandmother traveling by ship to America by herself and the sacrifices she and her Father make to have the rest of the family join them. Reviewed at https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogs...
A young adult inspirational story of resilience against all odds, family, friendship and love. Combining fact with fiction Fein tells the brave story of her grandmother traveling by ship to America by herself and the sacrifices she and her Father make to have the rest of the family join them. Reviewed at https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogs...
July 20, 2020
Hinde is a young girl growing up in Lithuania, trying to hide her brother before he is drafted into the military. Their father heads to America and saves up money to buy a ticket for Hinde to join him. As they both work hard, and earn money, they are able to send for more family members. Will Hinde and her family be completely reunited and live the American Dream?
Hinde is a remarkable character. She is strong and brave and someone young readers will admire. The author demonstrates the values of family, love, hard work, faith, and dedication.
I love historical fiction novels based on real events/people. I also enjoy learning about different lands and cultures. Lithuania is not a common setting for me. This book is based on the life of the author’s grandmother. I find books that are written for young adults, tend to be more open to deeper subjects of discrimination and life’s hardships. YA historical fiction allows for the whole family to read a book and have deep conversations. This story of one family’s journey to America is a definite must read this summer.
Notes:
Thanks to Tabitha at Spark Point Studio for sending me an advanced copy.
Hinde is a remarkable character. She is strong and brave and someone young readers will admire. The author demonstrates the values of family, love, hard work, faith, and dedication.
I love historical fiction novels based on real events/people. I also enjoy learning about different lands and cultures. Lithuania is not a common setting for me. This book is based on the life of the author’s grandmother. I find books that are written for young adults, tend to be more open to deeper subjects of discrimination and life’s hardships. YA historical fiction allows for the whole family to read a book and have deep conversations. This story of one family’s journey to America is a definite must read this summer.
Notes:
Thanks to Tabitha at Spark Point Studio for sending me an advanced copy.
May 19, 2020
I was initially really excited for this book. As soon as I read the description, I knew I had to read it. Taking place in 1900, the book follows Helen as she travels from Lithuania, Russia at the time, to New York City. Like many Jews, Helen and her family are persecuted because of their faith. Fein based her book off of her grandmother's story, but it is one that probably would resonate with many Jewish and immigrant children. I felt a special connection to this story since Helen's journey is one that is very similar to my ancestors. My ancestors too had to leave Lithuania (Russia) due to anti-Semitism and traveled to New York in hopes of a better life and more opportunity.
The writing is very geared towards elementary to middle-grade audiences. It's simple and explanatory, making sure to define each new element of Judaism to its reader. It will fit right in amongst the other immigration stories on a school's shelf!
Thank you to Netgalley and She Writes Press for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The writing is very geared towards elementary to middle-grade audiences. It's simple and explanatory, making sure to define each new element of Judaism to its reader. It will fit right in amongst the other immigration stories on a school's shelf!
Thank you to Netgalley and She Writes Press for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2020
Stitching a Life is the fictionalish story of how the author’s grandmother, Helen, and her family came to America from Lithuania. In Lithuania, Helen and her family were poor and surrounded by hate as the new tsar was anti-Semitic. So, they decided to come to America. I liked the story that the author told, as the bones of it were true and based off of her grandmother’s real life events. I also feel like I learned a lot, it was evident that the author did a lot of research. This book was filled with descriptions that made it easy to visualize what life was like back then. While I did like the story, I felt like the pace of the book was a little slow and the dialogue between characters needed working on. It was clear that our home girl Helen was kind and a hard worker and cared a lot about her family, but I didn’t feel like I really got to know her or get inside her brain. I feel like this book would be great for teaching students about immigration to the United States in the early 1900’s
April 23, 2020
Helen recognises the danger of staying in Lithuania where there's growing anti-Semitism and the danger of her brothers being forcefully conscripted into the Russian army. Helen goes to New York to find work as a seamstress so that her family can join her as fast her money can allow. This is also her chance to discover who she really is and what values she wants to carry to the new country...
Stitching A Life provided insight into the lives of Jewish immigrants especially from Lithuania right before the outbreak of WWI. Fein recounts her family history while taking a few liberties to enable the story to flow. Nonetheless, she does not show Helen's inner conflicts and tension as she debates which Jewish beliefs she would like to embrace in America , which was a bit unbelievable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and finished it within one sitting and provided a much needed escape.
Stitching A Life provided insight into the lives of Jewish immigrants especially from Lithuania right before the outbreak of WWI. Fein recounts her family history while taking a few liberties to enable the story to flow. Nonetheless, she does not show Helen's inner conflicts and tension as she debates which Jewish beliefs she would like to embrace in America , which was a bit unbelievable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and finished it within one sitting and provided a much needed escape.
June 12, 2020
I loved this amazing story, We follow the eldest kid of the family, Helen, through her journey to the new world. Her family is immigrating to save her brother from being drafted into the Russian Army at the young age of 12. Her father us the first to leave their home in hope to save money and buy a ticket for Helen. We follow Helen across the ocean, she meets new friends, but most of all works very hard to be able to buy a ticket for her brother's passage. This journey will take them a few years but they will succeed.
I loved the family dynamic in this story. The uncondition love they have for one another, the faith that drives them, and the new friends Helen meets on the way. This reminds me of why I started my family tree a few years ago and I enjoyed every bit of the family history Mary Helen Fein shows us.
Thank you Netgalley for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review
I loved the family dynamic in this story. The uncondition love they have for one another, the faith that drives them, and the new friends Helen meets on the way. This reminds me of why I started my family tree a few years ago and I enjoyed every bit of the family history Mary Helen Fein shows us.
Thank you Netgalley for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review
January 18, 2021
A fictionalised account of the author's Jewish grandmother's life, describing her reasons for leaving Lithuania (then a Russian province), her passage to America, settling on the Lower East Side and gradually bringing over more members of her family in a process of chain migration.
Not particularly artfully written, and more narrative than plot-driven (overall, ), but I enjoyed hearing the tale. There were a number of mistakes in my Kindle edition that a copy-editor would have flushed out (like the rabbi who's named Marks and then Marx a sentence later and is Marx for the rest of the book).
A good reminder that immigration is a good thing and chain migration is about bringing families together and not some evil plot.
Not particularly artfully written, and more narrative than plot-driven (overall, ), but I enjoyed hearing the tale. There were a number of mistakes in my Kindle edition that a copy-editor would have flushed out (like the rabbi who's named Marks and then Marx a sentence later and is Marx for the rest of the book).
A good reminder that immigration is a good thing and chain migration is about bringing families together and not some evil plot.
January 22, 2022
1900 mostly biographical of Helen Fein. Helen and her family are from Lithuania. They are a Jewish family. The Germans have begun to take 12-year-old Jewish boys into service for many years, where they are treated badly. Helen's family devises a plan for them to all move to New York. Her father goes over first and gets a job, then sends for Helen, who also has a job lined up. They both work hard and earn the money for the rest of their family. They're all a hard-working bunch. The separation, then having to learning new trades was daunting, but they learned quickly their new jobs in the new world.
Good read.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#StitchingaLife #NetGalley
Good read.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#StitchingaLife #NetGalley
May 5, 2020
Loved the way Mary Helen Fein embellished her grandmother’s experiences to create this amazing read. The main character, Helen, immigrates from Lithuania, joining her father in New York City. The passage telling Helen’s travel on the ship culminating with her arrival and sight of the Statue of Liberty brought tears to my eyes. Also loved the fascinating glimpses of life in the garment industry during this time frame, as well as the way of life and importance of family. A very heartwarming story of a delightful family. Many thanks to Mary Helen Fein, She Writes Press, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this engaging ARC of a soon to be published book. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 6, 2020
Thanks NetGalley for this book. This is exactly the kind of novel I would have loved as a 10 year old - nothing too sad or scary, an interesting story, and a sweet love interest. We follow Hinde's journey at the turn of the last century as a teen in Lithuania as she travels alone to America and then as she acclimates to her new country. It's based on a true story.
Stars: I enjoyed all of the little details. As a Jewish woman descended from ancestors in the same European region I found it very interesting.
Wishes: Though I normally don't love too much drama in a novel, I wish this book had a little more of a climax. Beyond the first chapter, there was nothing that exciting or thrilling or suspenseful. But perhaps this would be perfect for younger readers for that reason.
Stars: I enjoyed all of the little details. As a Jewish woman descended from ancestors in the same European region I found it very interesting.
Wishes: Though I normally don't love too much drama in a novel, I wish this book had a little more of a climax. Beyond the first chapter, there was nothing that exciting or thrilling or suspenseful. But perhaps this would be perfect for younger readers for that reason.
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