Klara's New World

by Jeanette Winter

Leaving their drought-stricken farm in nineteenth-century Sweden behind them, Klara and her family set sail for America, embarking on a dangerous and exciting journey across the ocean.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction

Hardcover

First published August 4, 1992

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klara’s New World by Jeanette Winter, Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a Scandinavian family which travels from Sweden to USA on ship in 1860. Klara is the child who has informed that fertile land in Sweden belonged to the rich and mighty. The poor owned hilly tracks of land which did not grow enough crops for the family. Their neighbour and friend Nils had migrated to America. There he had purchased agricultural land and soon by hard work become a self -sufficient farmer. Freedom of their religion was available in America. He suggested Klara’s father Nil to follow them to USA. The Nil was informed that the journey to USA by ship would take about three months. Storm and rains would hamper the journey. Sea sickness was possible. Therefore, they dried and packed food, stove and other necessary items for the journey. Nil sold his agricultural land and other belongings to his relatives, friends and neighbours. They packed their belongings in Magnus’s truck (his brother) and reached the sea coast. They carried seeds of flowers, fruits and grains. They started in a ship from Gutenberg seaport. Oldman Gustaf travelled with us. He played songs on his fiddle. Storm shook all food items. Seasickness, fever came and went. When the coast was near birds started coming on the ship. The landed in Castle Garden, Manhattan. Their papers were checked by Immigration office and a certificate was provided. Their health was examined and they changed US currency. The travelled by steamer, train, boat and reached Minnesota. The travelled by bullock cart and reached the plot of their friend Nils. First day, they stayed with Nils. Second day, they went to find agricultural land for them. He took his family to see the green agricultural land before finalizing the deal. Soon, Nil cut trees and built a small house and road to his house. He cultivated the field with bullocks from his friend Nils. They sowed the seeds which they had brought with them. First year, the crop was good. They purchased cows and were settled well within one year. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Katie Logonauts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Klara and her family decide to leave their life of poverty in Sweden and immigrate to America. Much of the story focuses on the difficulties of the journey, from the boat across the Atlantic to the steamboats to Chicago and eventually on to Minnesota. Her family passes through Castle Garden, the official immigration depot of the mid-1800s.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and the history of Sweden and Swedish immigrant to the New World (AKA America)in the mid 18600's. I like the pictures and details in the story. It is fun to learn about history!