A Place Called Galveston

Highlighting an underrepresented part of Jewish-American history, this poetic non-fiction picture book tells the collective stories of the immigrants who came through the port of Galveston, Texas.

In the early 20th century, thousands of Jews escaped antisemitic Russia to immigrate to the U.S. They faced long journeys across oceans, sometimes leaving family behind. But they didn't arrive at Ellis Island, as many others had. They were welcomed instead through the port of Galveston, Texas, on the Gulf Coast.

Galveston had sweet air and wide-open space. The newcomers built temporary communities, havens of people offering help, food, and shelter, to ease the loneliness and fear of a new country with a new language. And when they could, they ventured into the vast Midwest searching for jobs and safer futures.

In an end note, the author shares her family's story of coming to America from Russia and further details the history of Jewish immigration, the organizations that helped facilitate the journeys, and how Galveston became a popular port.

—School Library Journal

"In Russia, in a time of increased persecution, Jewish communities heard stories about America, with its 'sweet air to breathe and wide open space.' A brave few boarded boats, promising to send for their loved ones when they were settled. A Yiddish-speaking rabbi and other community supporters awaited them in Galveston, Texas, where they helped to make the newcomers feel a bit less out of place. Thus runs this inspiring, edifying tale about a proud wave of immigration and the pursuit of belonging abroad, complemented by active, detailed illustrations with vintage flair."

—Foreword Reviews

"A sprightly picture book which is also timely, considering current news cycles about immigrants. This title covers a time when America welcomed immigrants, prompting Jewish leaders already here to find better ways to settle new arrivals. It details a well thought out plan to bring Jews from Russia and locate them away from overcrowded Eastern cities. The text investigates the three-part plan, revealing how a new immigrant would accomplish this journey. The plan to bypass Ellis Island was called The Galveston Movement. The German-Jewish banker Jacob Schiff floated the idea, then backed it with a lot of money. Schiff's humane process involved three steps in Russia, Germany and Galveston, Texas, which the book details. The end page maps clearly situate this history. The endnote on the Galveston Movement is excellent despite murky photos.

The book lists the Jews' reasons for leaving Russia as starvation and beatings from bullies. It is age appropriate, not mentioning murderous pogroms, although the end note does. The book does not flinch from the pain of families being split apart because only one member could afford to come at one time, the miserable, low-level berths on a big ocean liner or being alone in a strange place. Eastern cities are pictured as unpleasant while Galveston is sunny with many leads to better jobs. The upbeat ending describes settled immigrants who work hard, save money and send for families left behind. The book's statistics spotlight the dream come true; in seven years ten thousand Jews came on one hundred ships for new lives in America's heartland.

The gray/brown palette of the action-packed illustrations reveals sad faces at the start, joyful ones at the end. The muted colors suggest long ago. The pictures parallel, support, and enliven the text proving history can arrive in a delicious package. This title is recommended for all libraries."

—Association of Jewish Libraries