Hazel Rochman (Booklist, Dec. 15, 2003 (Vol. 100, No. 8))
Reviewed with Kathryn Lasky's Hope in My Heart. An Italian immigrant child writes her diary in these two small books that are part of the My America series. Hope in My Heart is the most dramatic. After the family finally arrives at Ellis Island, nine-year-old Sofia is separated from her parents and quarantined. Terrified, angry, and knowing almost no English, she is at the mercy of officials and doctors, some of whom are prejudiced and corrupt. Only her friendship with an Irish girl and the support of a kind official and a priest make her life bearable, until her heartfelt reunion with her family. Home at Last is a conventional account of Italian Americans who struggle and eventually make it in the North End community of Boston. A teacher makes a huge difference, as does a doctor, whose character is based on a real person, Lasky's husband's grandfather. As is often the case with books in this series, the diary format is an awkward contrivance, but it certainly makes the tale more immediate. A historical note and archival photos add to the story. Category: Books for Middle Readers--Fiction. 2003, Scholastic, $12.95, $4.99. Gr. 3-6.

Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature)
Nine year old Sophia has just been released from being quarantined on Ellis Island because of a possible eye disease. Her new home is sparse at best, but it is home and she is with her family a month after their arrival in America. Sofia is the kind of daughter every mother wishes for--good natured, optimistic, studious and caring. This installment in the "My America" series is an engaging quick read. It is a story of dreams begun, dreams fulfilled and of hope. While reading this I couldn't help but notice similarities to the "Little House on the Prairie" television series, right down to the storeowners and local doctor. We are shown glimpses into the historic North End of Boston at the turn of the twentieth century. Most anecdotes are well placed, but do we really need to know about Marco swallowing the eye of a doll, and mentioning Rose Fitzgerald with no further explanation is just plain name-dropping! Sofia's story is one of encouragement for any age. From her Ellis Island release, her academic achievements, overcoming infantile paralysis, to the reality of possible losing her best friend, Sofia never loses her positive outlook and her penchant for bettering herself and others. 2003