What do You think about The King Of Mulberry Street (2005)?
I personally thought this book was beautiful. The book follows Beniamino/Dom, a nine year old boy who was sent to America from Napoli, Italy for the good life in the late 1800's. The book covers all aspects of the immigration process at the time, from Ellis Island to the padrones problem. Since it was children's there I didn't expect a lot of depth, but I was wrong. The characters were so three-dimensional. Gaetano was by far my favorite. I loved the way we could see the 'immigrant ego' through his character; he refused to speak english and didn't speak to anyone who wasn't Italian. I also liked how Beniamino/Dom struggled with his Jewish side; he tried his very best to constantly hide his faith, in order to fit in. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical and children's fiction.
—Jasveen
Lexile Level: 560Pages: 256Summary: When nine-year-old Dom’s mother smuggles him aboard a ship bound for America, he expects to find her hiding elsewhere on the ship. When she doesn't appear, he sets about following her instructions to survive: watch, learn, get an education, and become successful. In 1890s New York, a padrone was necessary for most Italian boys on their own, but Dom’s mother didn't want him to be anyone's slave. Through intelligence, a willingness to work, and a clear understanding of the importance of sharing, Dom finds friends and begins to make a living selling sandwiches to Wall Street workers. Working hard he is, indeed, his own boss and has come to terms with the sacrifice his mother made for him. Recommendation or Comments: The author has given us a well-rounded character who overcomes many hardships and obstacles to survive the rough and tumble life of an immigrant book new to America.Reviewed By: Michèle Freese
—Oak Lawn Public Library - Youth Services
I choose this book because it looked like a good book but when I previewed it, it sounded like a war book in some was and I love war but it is not about war at all. Historyicul fiction. A whos mom wants him to go to the U.S.A and he does and ends up by himself sleeping in a back ally in a barel. The main character is a sweet little boy who lives by himself and trys hes best to find food for himself and ends up getting beat up a lot for no reason. ones he meats his frined Guoto they become good frinds and start there own business. he wants to be able to buy a ticket fo rthe train but never has enough money so he trs startin gis on sandwich shop on mllberry street. His business thrives and he gets a small job at a little food store. this book was very good although it started out a little dry ones you got 50 or so pages in to it, it was a prett good book and I think it would be better based at guys.
—Codys
