Mary's Immigration Story

In her writing debut at age 13, Mary Antin carries us on a 6-week journey from a remote town in Russia to the United States. Mary, her mother, and three siblings encounter strange new sights from trams to motorized cars, endure the extreme discomfort of long train rides, and suffer strip-sanitation at the hands of German officials terrified of a cholera pandemic. Exploitation along the way leaves them almost stranded as they experience the kindness of strangers and share a Passover...
More Description

In her writing debut at age 13, Mary Antin carries us on a 6-week journey from a remote town in Russia to the United States. Mary, her mother, and three siblings encounter strange new sights from trams to motorized cars, endure the extreme discomfort of long train rides, and suffer strip-sanitation at the hands of German officials terrified of a cholera pandemic. Exploitation along the way leaves them almost stranded as they experience the kindness of strangers and share a Passover meal with other Jewish travelers. The seasickness and survival rations of a stormy Atlantic passage fail to diminish Mary's keen enjoyment of the expansive sea, skies, and occasional wandering bird. As Boston looms on the horizon, Mary's father awaits at the dock for their joyful reunion.