Coming to America: the Story of Immigration by Betsy Maestro

Coming to America: the Story of Immigration

Betsy Maestro

Scholastic Inc. · Print & ebook · February 1, 1996

A Picture Books pick for readers exploring Coming to America: the Story of Immigration.

Buy on Amazon

We earn from qualifying purchases.

Who it’s for
A wide-ranging history traces immigration’s promise alongside the losses and hardships bound up with it.
Themes
U.S. immigration history, Displacement and enslavement, Hope and determination
Genres
Immigration & Emigration, U.S. History

About this book

Thousands of years ago, the first people to arrive on American soil traveled across a land bridge from Asia to what is now Alaska. Millions of people were already settled when Christopher Columbus "rediscovered" America in 1492. New about the "new" world soon spread, and more people arrived on American shores. The trans-atlantic journey was long and arduous, but by 1700, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch colonies had been established.

Continue reading

This expansion exacted a toll, however, on the native people who were pushed off their land as well as African people who were forced into slavery. By the mid 1800's, so many people had immigrated to the United States that in 1892, an immigration office was opened on Ellis Island to count and document the new arrivals. By the early 1900's, laws were passed to limit the number of new arrivals. And yet, today, immigrants still come to America from countries worldwide, includingRussia, Haiti, and Cuba, insearch of a better way of life. The history of American immigration is one of determination and struggle, but not without pain. But for immigrants past and present, hope, the belief in a better life, and the allure of making a contribution to this nation prevails.

Arrivals and Costs

A wide-ranging history traces immigration’s promise alongside the losses and hardships bound up with it.

Come here for

  • A long view, from the first arrivals to immigrants today
  • Hope and hardship held in the same frame

Expect

  • Centuries of arrivals and changing limits
  • Attention to displacement and forced slavery

Where it sits

Immigration & Emigration100%
U.S. History70%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • U.S. History
Authors
Betsy Maestro
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Published
February 1, 1996
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
U.S. immigration history · Displacement and enslavement · Hope and determination
Reading lane
U.S. History