Set between 1919 and 1920, LETTERS FROM RIFKA tells the story of a 12-year-old Jewish girl who, along with her parents and her brother, attempts to escape persecution in her homeland of Russia. The family manages to flee to Poland, and from there, they plan to immigrate to the United States, already home to Rifka's three older brothers. Although the rest of her family is cleared to travel to America, Rifka, who has developed ringworm, is left behind in the care of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, a group that eventually relocates her to Belgium, where she grows from a frightened child to a responsible young woman. Rifka still dreams of being reunited with her family, but before she can do so, she must face a dangerous sea journey and an extended stay at Ellis Island. Based on the author's own family history, LETTERS FROM RIFKA presents a historically accurate depiction of an immigrant's experience in the early 1900s, and is told via Rifka's letters to her cousin in Rus...
Comments
When Matilda's mother kept throwing up and yelling to her "Get out!" I loved it. I actually felt like I was in the room and looking at the strait pale skiny finger of Matilda's mother.
It was weird though how that old man just dumped Lucille on the doorway of Matilda's home. He's a strange character but it's kind of funny that he just dumped her out of the wheel berrow.
You never met Polly in the story, but you got a good picture of who she was. She was a young girl that was a close friend to Matilda. I can't believe she just died though out of no where. That part was weird.
King George the parrot is soo funny! He doesn't have very much sentamental in the story but he does come up often. Although I do have to ask does Grandfather take King George to the country? After all he does love that bird.
I recomend this book to anybody who likes death stories. It's great! It's the best BOB book I've ever read.
-Cheyenne