1.

Title: When Jessie Came Across the Sea

2. Author: Amy Hest
3. Illustrator: P. J. Lynch
4. Publisher: Candlewick
5. Publication date: 1997
6. Genre: historical fiction
7. Reading Level: 3.2
8. Summary: When Jessie Came Across the Sea, is about the time when Jessie traveled
overseas to obtain a better life.
9. Review:
When Jessie Came Across the Sea is a historical fiction story that demonstrates the life of a
young girl as she immigrated to the New York in search of a better life. When Jessie Came
Across the Sea is the only book by Hest that deals with immigration, but she did write more
childrens book over family relationships. In this particular book, there is a strong bond between
Jessie and her grandmother, and immigration becomes an interfering issue between them that is
later resolved by Jessie at the end of the story. The illustrations extend the story and clearly
connect to the story line. The storys plot is well developed throughout the story. It is organized
in a certain sequence of events. For example, first Jessie is offered a ticket to America, sails to
New York, and then she arrives and works hard to buy a ticket for her grandmother to come to
America. The vivid illustrations were created in watercolor and gouache giving the picture a
more realistic look. The content descriptions of multiple settings are precisely described by Hest
in the text. In addition, the text is age appropriate because it provides enough detail to make the

story easier to understand. Amy has written nearly 50 other childrens book; therefore, her
writing abilities to appeal children is well developed.