Letters from Rifka
Jan 2009 · Henry Holt and Company (BYR)
4,6star
61 reviewsreport
eBook
148
Pages
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About this eBook
From Newbery media winner Karen Hesse comes an unforgettable story of an immigrant family's journey to America.
"America," the girl repeated. "What will you do there?"
I was silent for a little time.
"I will do everything there," I answered.
Rifka knows nothing about America when she flees from Russia with her family in 1919. But she dreams that in the new country she will at last be safe from the Russian soldiers and their harsh treatment of the Jews. Throughout her journey, Rifka carries with her a cherished volume of poetry by Alexander Pushkin. In it, she records her observations and experiences in the form of letters to Tovah, the beloved cousin she has left behind.
Strong-hearted and determined, Rifka must endure a great deal: humiliating examinations by doctors and soldiers, deadly typhus, separation from all she has ever known and loved, murderous storms at sea, detainment on Ellis Island--and is if this is not enough, the loss of her glorious golden hair.
Based on a true story from the author's family, Letters from Rifka presents a real-life heroine with an uncommon courage and unsinkable spirit.
"America," the girl repeated. "What will you do there?"
I was silent for a little time.
"I will do everything there," I answered.
Rifka knows nothing about America when she flees from Russia with her family in 1919. But she dreams that in the new country she will at last be safe from the Russian soldiers and their harsh treatment of the Jews. Throughout her journey, Rifka carries with her a cherished volume of poetry by Alexander Pushkin. In it, she records her observations and experiences in the form of letters to Tovah, the beloved cousin she has left behind.
Strong-hearted and determined, Rifka must endure a great deal: humiliating examinations by doctors and soldiers, deadly typhus, separation from all she has ever known and loved, murderous storms at sea, detainment on Ellis Island--and is if this is not enough, the loss of her glorious golden hair.
Based on a true story from the author's family, Letters from Rifka presents a real-life heroine with an uncommon courage and unsinkable spirit.
Ratings and reviews
4,6
61 reviews
Kerstian Urey
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10 November 2023
I read ALOT... And this book is absolutely incredible! Full of emotion and it will make you cherish what you have. How a little girl of 12 years old could go through so much, mostly alone, but mainly because she had a good book, language, and the need to write it all down as a release.. I feel like I am just like Rifka! THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ! You will not regret it. Shalom friends, Kerstian
Jennifer Guerra
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27 January 2019
Made me laugh & cry. I could relate to a lot of the feelings & can easily see how girls/women of all ages could too.
1 person found this review helpful
Kamlesh Chand
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10 June 2017
Love this book cause my teacher read it to us,!😍😻
About the author
Karen Hesse calls Letters from Rifka "a gift to my grandparents and to my heritage, and to people like Rifka who have made the passage between two worlds." Ms Hesse is also the author of Wish on a Unicorn, Lester's Dog and Lavender.
Karen Hesse lives in Williamsville, Vermont, with her husband, Randy, and her daughters, Kate and Rachel.
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