Grandmother and the Runaway Shadow

by Liz Rosenberg, Beth Peck (Illustrator)

A young girl tells the story of her courageous grandmother, who as a young woman left her home and family to travel to the New World, where her only companion for a long time was her shadow.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Immigration

32 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 1994

About the author

Liz Rosenberg is an American poet, novelist, children's book author, and book reviewer. She is currently a professor of English at Binghamton University.

Reviews

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Times were so bad that even a poor shadow would run off, especially in the middle of the night."

A fictionalized account based on stories passed down from those who immigrated to America in the early 1900s. A shadow runs away with the narrator's grandmother and keeps her company. They experience the new country together, from kissing the ground, founding a place to board, and working at a garment factory. Grandmother and the shadow are best friends "despite their differences." They share memories of the old country and dreams for the future.

A great historical read which can give an empathetic perspective to the immigrant experience today.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a Eastern European Jewish immigrants as told by one girl leaving her homeland to journey to America and make her way in New York City. This retelling of the author’s grandmother’s immigration story touches on many historical bases in immigrant experiences: programs, difficult sea voyages, passage through Ellis Island, conditions on the lower East Side of Manhattan, and the garment industry. A wonderful introduction to a unit on immigration, New York City history or the industrial revolution.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating story of a young woman coming to America from the Old Country.