  | Lost in the Empire City Author: Avi | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
When Santo's father left their tiny town in Italy for America, he made Santo promise to keep their family together until he has enough money to bring the rest of them to the US. However, Santo gets separated from his mother and siblings at Ellis Island, and he is left to fend for himself on the mean streets of Manhattan. While searching for them he gets involved with a gang, but after a betrayal he will have to use his street smarts to reunite with his family.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.30 Points: 10.0 Quiz: 551450 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (09/01/24)
Booklist (10/01/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 10/01/2024 When Santo is eight, his father emigrates to the U.S. and charges the boy with protecting their family. Despite many hardships (hunger, sickness, death of family members, and illiteracy), Santo succeeds well enough until, five years later when the family lands at Ellis Island, he becomes separated from his mother and siblings. When Papa fails to meet him, Santo wanders New York City alone, joins a gang of child thieves, and eventually is recruited by a wealthy art thief. Santo knows what he is doing is wrong but feels trapped by his situation. Avi’s descriptions of the marvels of New York City circa 1910 (electric lights, the subway, central heating, and indoor plumbing) are juxtaposed against the harsh realities of life for immigrant kids on the street, many of whom have little choice other than a life of thievery if they want to survive. As with Avi’s other historical titles, the pacing is brisk (filled with increasingly perilous situations) and tension builds to a satisfying, if somewhat unlikely, conclusion. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
