When Jessie Came Across the Sea

by Amy Hest
When Jessie Came Across the Sea cover
Good Books rating 4.45
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 7993
  • Added: 2025-12-19
  • Updated: 2025-12-20
  • ISBN: 9780439137027
  • Published: 1999-01-01
  • Reviews: 4

When Jessie Came Across the Sea follows the story of a thirteen-year-old Jewish orphan who leaves her grandmother behind to immigrate to New York City. Working for three years sewing lace, Jessie saves every penny to bring her grandmother to the United States, showcasing her resilience and love./n/nThis poignant novel explores themes of family, sacrifice, and the immigrant experience. The story is beautifully illustrated, adding depth to Jessie's emotional journey as she navigates her new life in America and strives to reunite with the only family she has left.

Reviews
Barnes & Noble · 2025-12-20
sentimental 4.50

The book is described as heart-tuggingly emotional and unabashedly sentimental. It is praised for its strong themes of family and faith.

The reviewer highlights the emotional impact of the book, noting its sentimental and heart-tugging qualities. They appreciate the strong themes of family and faith that run throughout the story. The reviewer also notes that the book's unabashed sentimentality makes it a memorable and touching read.

Quick quotes

    The strong threads of family and faith run throughout this unabashedly sentimental story of one family's immigrant experience.

    Heart-tuggingly emotional.

    A memorable and touching read.

Lincoln Diocese · 2025-12-19
moving 4.50

The story captures the longings and aspirations of a Jewish immigrant girl arriving in the United States. It's a moving tale that resonates with themes of family and faith.

The reviewer praises the book for its ability to capture the emotions and experiences of an immigrant girl. They appreciate how the story highlights the themes of family and faith, making it a moving and resonant tale. The reviewer also notes that the book's illustrations and text work together to create a powerful and unforgettable story. They believe it's a great choice for anyone looking for a meaningful and moving tale about immigration.

Quick quotes

    Amy Hest captures these longings and aspirations in the beautiful, moving story of a Jewish immigrant girl arriving in the United States.

    The story resonates with themes of family and faith.

    The book's illustrations and text work together to create a powerful and unforgettable story.

TSOS Refugees · 2021-09-27
heartwarming 4.50

This book is a great way to start a conversation with kids about refugees in the past. The story is both beautiful and touching, highlighting themes of family and sacrifice.

This review highlights the book's ability to spark important discussions about refugees and immigration. The reviewer appreciates the book's beauty and its ability to touch on deep themes like family and sacrifice. They believe it's a great tool for parents and educators to use when talking to children about these topics. The reviewer also notes that the book's illustrations and story work together to create a moving and unforgettable experience.

Quick quotes

    This beautiful book is a great way to start a conversation with kids about refugees in the past.

    The story is both beautiful and touching, highlighting themes of family and sacrifice.

    I would recommend When Jessie Came Across the Sea to anyone looking for a meaningful way to discuss immigration with children.

Goodreads · Various Goodreads Users · 1997-01-01
inspiring 4.30

The book is an inspiring tribute to the immigrant experience, with beautiful illustrations and a touching story. It's a great choice for both children and adults.

The reviewers on Goodreads appreciate the book's ability to capture the immigrant experience in a beautiful and touching way. They praise the illustrations and the story, noting that it's a great choice for both children and adults. Many reviewers also note that the book's themes of family and sacrifice resonate with them, making it a moving and unforgettable tale. They believe it's a great choice for anyone looking for a meaningful and beautiful story about immigration.

Quick quotes

    In an inspiring pairing, Amy Hest and P.J. Lynch create an unforgettable tribute to the immigrant experience.

    The book is a great choice for both children and adults.

    The story's themes of family and sacrifice resonate with many reviewers, making it a moving and unforgettable tale.

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