Blohm, Judith M. and Terri Lapinsky. Kids Like Me: Voices of the Immigrant Experience. Boston, MA: Intercultural Press, March 2006.
Twenty six youth share their experience of being an immigrant. The book also includes discussion questions, self-directed activities, and research ideas for teachers and families that can be used in classrooms and community settings.
Fogleman, Aaron Spencer. Hopeful Journeys: German Immigration, Settlement, and Political Culture in Colonial America, 1717-1775. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, February 1996.
Although written in language that is a bit scholarly, Fogleman contributes much to the study of eighteenth century German settlement in America. At one point in the book the author tracks the immigrants from a particular region located between Heidelberg and Heilbronn, along the Neckar River. This detailed information illuminates what was involved in the decision to go to the New World, in the trip getting there, and in beginning a new life in Pennsylvania. The book is heavily foot-noted, with an extensive bibliography and index. It is a good resource for further studies of the Pennsylvania German culture.
Galtfelter, Charles H. "The Pennsylvania Germans: A Brief Account of their Influence on Pennsylvania" in Pennsylvania History Studies. University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania Historical Association, 1990.
Highlights the religion, craftsmanship, and schooling of German immigrants in Pennsylvania.
Lawlor, Veronica. I Was Dreaming to Come to America: Memories from the Ellis Island Oral History Project. New York, NY: Puffin, August 1997.
Taken from the Ellis Oral History Project, the author chose fifteen excerpts to illustrate the immigrant experience. The excerpts recount the individual's feelings about leaving their home, details about the voyage over, and arriving in America. Hand-painted paper collages accompany the stories.
Pleij, Herman. Dreaming of Cockaigne: Medieval Fantasies of the Perfect Life. New York, NY: Columbia University Press, May 2001.
Pleij uses his knowledge of European art, folklore, and literature to describe the fantasy of Cockaigne in the Middle Ages and how they relate centrally to medieval life.
Rammel, Hal. Nowhere in America: The Big Rock Candy Mountain and Other Comic Utopias. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1990.
Rammel explores the connection between ideas of "Lubberland" and "Cockaigne" with the origins of the song, "The Big Rock Candy Mountain."
Sheets, Georg R. and Blair Seitz. Pennsylvania Heritage: Diversity in Art, Dance, Food, Music, and Customs. Harrisburg, PA: RB Books, May 2001.
This book brings to life the stories of dozens of national groups that have immigrated to Pennsylvania and illustrates the wonderful cultural heritage they brought with them.
This webquest is geared for upper elementary students. It directs students through a variety of activities designed to help them understand the role immigrations has played in America's development. It focuses on Ellis Island, but immigrants from other eras are featured as well.
Library of Congress, Lesson Plans-Immigration-Themed Resources-For Teachers-Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/themes/immigration/less...
Lessons plans about immigration using the primary resource collection from the Library of Congress.
Scholastic Inc., Immigration: Stories of Yesterday and Today http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/
This website offers a variety of resources related to immigration. It features an interactive tour of Ellis Island, true stories of present day immigrants, and tools to view and print graphs about immigration statistics.
