Hello America is the story of the author Livia Bitton-Jackson who came to American after the end of WWII. Elli, eighteen years old, and her mother both survived the German concentration camp at Auschwitz. The book begins with the journey on the boat as it enters New York Harbor. Elli and her mom are reunited with her older brother upon arriving in New York. Her father was taken away and later killed. Elli and her mother stay with family in Brooklyn, New York. Elli quickly learns about immigrating to America by getting a job and experiencing American culture. Elli desires of becoming a teacher come true when she begins teaching at a Hebrew school. Elli dreams of going to college but because of the German occupation of Czechoslovakia she was unable to attend high school. The book concludes with Elli receiving her G.E.D.

The book is written as a narrative and is an easy read. The author includes a few love interest as well as Hebrew traditions. Because the author has written a few other book detailing her life, I felt this book ended a little abruptly.

There was only one small picture on the back cover of Elli. I would have like to see more picture of her. Also, there is no table of contents, sources, index, glossary, or additional reading suggestions.

While the book was interesting in providing the reader with a glimpse into her experience immigrating to America, I think there maybe something else I would prefer to use in regards to a lesson on immigrating to America. ( )