The Long Way To A New Land An I Can Read Book Level 3

I Can Read: Level 3

by Joan Sandin

Book by Joan Sandin

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens, American History, School, Economics, 2nd Grade

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1981

About the author

Joan Sandin is a children's book author and illustrator. Her grandfather was born in Sweden and immigrated to Wisconsin with his parents in 1882, when he was only two. Joan herself spent time in Sweden and did extensive research to create her well-loved classic books about the immigrant experience.

Reviews

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, succinct way to introduce elementary students to the immigrant experience and the history of immigration in the United States. It simply tells the story of one family's journey from Sweden to America, including hunger, language barriers, fever, etc. While it is too short to go into much detail, it is still a window into something many of our ancestors experienced in one way or another. It reminds me a bit of the Meet Kirsten: An American Girl book, as she came from Sweden also.

[Lara Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great story to describe the plight of early immigrants in a positive way. There are lots of stories right now that describe disillusioned immigrants to America, but people wouldn't have kept coming if that were always true. This easy reader describes the journey of a Swedish family to escape poverty and famine in a way any child could relate to.

[Henna Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary/Annotation: This is a book about a boy named Carl Erik and his family who lived in Sweden. The setting is in 1868. Times aren't so great because in the summer they lack rain and in the winter they lack food. They are facing horrible times without food and money. They receive a letter from their uncle who lives in America and requests them to come to America. Life is much better in America. Carl and his family think it's best for them to move. They pack up their stuff and head out for the New Land.

Response: This is a wonderful book to read. I enjoyed the pictures within the chapters. This book relates to me because my parents and many family members left their country to move to America, to have a better life for themselves and their children. I loved the story because it described the struggles and troubles it took to reach to the New Land.
I awarded this book four stars because it has good illustrations along with the chapters and it is very informational. I think it would be great to have in a classroom.

Classroom Connection: This is a great book to use in a history lesson to discuss how many immigrants came to America and what they had to go through in the process of reaching to the New Land. Students can speak to parents and family members to find out if anyone had a journey to America such as my parents. Students can be asked to interview their family members or someone they know. I believe it would be a good experience for them. It would give them a chance to bond with family members and hear the experiences through the voices of people who actually experienced this.

Text Complexity: According to lexile.com the measure is 340L. This book is appropriate for students ages four to eight. This is good for students kindergarten to second grade. The grade level equivalent is 3.3. Lessons should be adjusted depending on grade level.

[JD · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are pros and cons to this easy reader. The cons are that it does not appeal to pre-readers at all. The pictures are few and not very detailed. The subject matter is also above the head of your average pre-schooler. But if you have a beginner reader that is trying to learn more about early emigrants to the United States for a report or something, this is a great book. It is full of facts about Swedish emigrants in story form, making the information easy for a child to absorb.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that follows a Swedish family on their journey to Ellis Island. Easy text and great illustrations.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Rainbow: Watch the Stars Come Out.
Descriptions of the illness/cramped quarters on the journey were stressful but this was enjoyed overall.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Long Way to a New Land Published in 1981, I think this I Can Read book holds up surprisingly well for today's audiences. It's a succinct yet heartfelt account of one Swedish family's journey to America in the late 1860s. Without becoming too dark for young audiences, it does an excellent job of pointing out the challenging life they left (known as "the hunger years" during which some 50,000 Swedes emigrated to America) the desperation that made the difficult, unpleasant and even harrowing journey worthwhile as they sought a better life for their family. I found it quite touching and really admire the talent of the I Can Read book authors when they can make such a moving story with an economy of words.

[Aimee Fuhrman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for introducing children to the realities so many faced as emigrants to America in the mid-to late nineteenth century. The easy text makes it accessible for elementary readers, and the pictures are bright, though simple. I highly recommend this and the other two books in this trilogy: The Long Way Westward and At Home in a New Land both also by Joan Sandin.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first grader and I read this book as part of our language arts lessons in our homeschool. We are reviewing a study guide from Progeny Press that accompanies the book (the study guide is excellent).

This book is the perfect book for a reader who reads independently. My first grader read it in one sitting (but then we read a chapter at a time as we worked on the study guide). Each chapter described a different part of the journey of Carl Erik's family from Sweden to America.

There are many opportunities to discuss emigrants, history, farming, Ellis Island, etc while reading the book with your children. I recommend this book for your family.

[Lydia Johns · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starting with the positive first, it was an easy read, and easy to understand. It presented a typical immigration story: home country is no longer worth staying in, America offers a better life and more opportunities. But some of the notions within the books may be hard to grasp/relate to for today's generation of children. Also, I didn't find the illustrations very enjoyable, I'm not exactly sure why, however.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another historical read, for young and new readers, this time about migrants traveling a long way to a new land, and really when one travels to a new land, it is not just geographical distance that one travels. A decent little read here.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

AR 2.7

[Sydney Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction “reader” with short chapters, based on the Swedes’ immigration to America in the 1860s.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
America is made up of immigrants from around the world. The Long Way to a New Land tells the story of a Swedish family who is facing starvation and the troubles of money. The family faces many troubles throughout the summer, including drought and lack of production from their animals. The family is forced to gather materials in the forest to eat, that they usually would not eat because it causes them to be ill. The family soon receives a letter from family who made the trip to America, and it told of the greatness of the new world.
The Family does everything they can to move to America with their family. They begin by selling their livestock along with their house and property, and then they make the long journey to Gothenburg. This is where they will board the ship to make the long journey to the new world. The ship is packed tight, and there are many people who get sick along this long journey but the family eventually makes it to the new land where their new life is waiting for them.
Response:
I chose to give this book a 5 star rating because it was very informational and told the story of how many people in this country had faced hardships and came to the new land. There may even be people in your classroom that had come to America because of these hardships. It also was an easy read, with great illustrations that portray the words perfectly.
Classroom Connections:
This book can go along with a history lesson that goes along with immigrants and the migration to America. You can have the students talk to their families about when, and how their families migrated to America and have them write a short story about their family.
Text Complexity:
Lexile: 340L
GR: L

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

A drought causes the "hunger years" in Sweden. Carl Erik and his brother, Jonas, gather moss and pine tree bark. Their mother mixes the bark with flour to make hard, bitter bread that hurts their stomachs. When the family receives a letter from a relative in America, they decide to immigrate. The money from the sale of their farm and few belongings is just enough to buy their passage on the steamship City of Baltimore. A storm at sea brings much hardship, but after twelve days they land safely in New York City.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Nazim · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is about Immigrant who came to America from Suidan. It's good for learning about Immigrant how people came to America and why they were coming. I think it is good book for me and I understand what about say this book.

[Dewanrony]

I think the long way to new land is non fiction book. They came to America for better life because they didn't have lot of food. They are from sewdis. They ate bark and mass. They didn't have lot of money.

[Paata Sichinava · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about immigrates who came from Sweden to America century nineteen. Also this book is about poor family how sieved children and change life. I like this book because this book is about immigrants family life in new land.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1868, a family in Sweden is facing starvation. Their thoughts turn to emigrating to the U.S. Series with the second book after they get to the U.S. and head west "The Long Way Westward".

Good book for beginning readers - classroom library 1st to 4th grade.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice enough historical children's story about those who immigrated to the United States.

[Nora · Rating 2 out of 5]

MCL. It was about a family going from Sweden to America.

[Sohag7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is verey good book.Beacase this book is talking about immegrand.Who came here and now live here.

[Lololoko · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about a immigrant family. That leave their country because the farm was dry and the family didn't have money to buy food. they decided go to America for a better future.

[Najat13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

i ;ike this book because it's talking about the immigrant and thiere problems.

[Sitora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it's talking about Immigrant who live Sweden came to America with family

[Soman Bishwas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about immigrants family.They were lived in Sweden. They didn't have barely food. I like this book because I learned how to move another country.

[Amanda Hlava]

Decision making

[JoAnne Styger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genna finished this for 2nd grade. The story interested her and taught about immigrants to America.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and quick so not very detailed. Mostly about travel from Sweden to the new world.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of a family immigrating to America from Sweden.