ELLIS ISLAND: New Hope in a New Land

Aimed at somewhat younger children than Fisher's excellent Ellis Island (1986), another survey of the island's history. Beginning with the island's busiest day--March 27, 1907, when 16,050 newcomers disembarked--Jacobs briefly describes the harrowing, often humiliating experience of being judged fit or unfit and the joy of making it through; summarizes the island's earlier history; explains the more stringent requirements after WW I and the eventual disuse of the facility; and concludes with its reclamation as a historic site. The photos are well chosen; their informative captions, many of which include dates, sources, and even the photographer, deserve special praise. A useful, attractively produced resource on the immigrant experience. Index.