Reviews
One sure-fire way to engage students in history is to hand them a book from the "You Choose" series. Young readers can feel they are part of the real lives of real people and live their adventures. In this title, the reader assumes the role of an Irish immigrant arriving in America during the time of the potato famine. From the dock, he can choose to stay in New York or to go to Massachusetts or Philadelphia. Following the chosen path, he can become a shoemaker, a mill worker, or an ironworker. At every turn of the page, more selections can be made. This book places a total of 43 variations and 15 possible endings at their fingertips. Along the way, readers glimpse the hardships endured on the journey as well as the poverty, discrimination, and struggles each person faced in their desire for a better life. Readers get to make difficult decisions that could lead to continued poverty, death or, for those fortunate enough, wealth. Black-and-white and color photos dramatically depict the harsh Irish landscape, crowded tenements, desolate mining towns, busy mills, and bustling city streets. Whether this is read for pleasure or to supplement a study unit, students will be eager to follow the adventure. 2007, Capstone Press, $27.93. Ages 10 to 14.
