The place do I come from? It’s virtually a universally requested query, one that may pop up in some ways and at many various factors in your life. Historical past Comics: Ellis Island, written by Felipe Galindo Feggo and illustrated by Tait Howard, explores that query, with the I standing in for Americans. How did this island, and its close by neighbor the Statue of Liberty, come to be such an necessary a part of American historical past? How will we see its legacy in the present day and might we create a greater future from our previous? This graphic novel tells a significant historical past that may train compassion and invite reflection in younger readers.

Historical past Comics: Ellis Island begins with a brief essay filling readers in on fundamental background data of Ellis Island, together with some deeper questions to bear in mind whereas studying. These straightforwardly written details are useful for readers studying about immigration. This story of Ellis Island kicks off in 2012 as Hurricane Sandy ravages New York Metropolis. Paul and his mother Amie’s residence is on a decrease degree in order that they go to their third ground neighbors, the Gómez household, to maintain protected from the rising waters outdoors. Paul suggests telling campfire tales to cross the time so Mrs.Gómez suggests Amie share the historical past of Ellis Island. As a park ranger, she is aware of the whole lot about it! Her family even handed by means of there.

One of the crucial spectacular issues about this title is how wide-reaching the historical past is. Amie’s story telling begins on the very starting, when the island was cared for by the Lenape, and goes by means of to its post-Sandy restoration in 2013. But it surely’s extra than simply the story of the island and the constructing itself, it’s the story of immigration in America over these lots of of years. That story stretches past the titular island and strikes throughout the whole nation.

This ebook can function an ideal beginning off level to a bigger lesson in regards to the subject or as a complement to at least one already ongoing. It might be useful in placing patterns of immigration and anti-immigrant actions into context, particularly in the present day when many younger folks could wish to study the hows and the whys. The rise of nationalism and “Deportmania” within the late 1910s is especially related, together with the historical past of the legal guidelines created within the subsequent years.

Howard’s artwork could be very useful and applicable in telling the story. It’s not too graphic or reasonable however not too cartoony or foolish; it doesn’t demean the story being advised. Eagle eyed readers will catch a number of the easter eggs and visible jokes Howard positioned all through the panels. There are some extra intensely drawn scenes, together with gun utilization and hanging, together with medical associated illustrations, that match the particulars being advised at that time. Nothing is finished gratuitously. General, the artwork is appropriately matched to what story the graphic novel is telling.

Historical past Comics: Ellis Island is beneficial for older center grade readers.These details aren’t all the time straightforward to learn and will result in intense, emotional dialogue in shared areas. With that in thoughts, it actually deserves a spot in historical past school rooms. Curious historical past lovers will particularly get pleasure from it and plenty of adults might stand to provide it a learn. Historical past Comics: Ellis Island offers its readers a radical, truthful take a look at an necessary American landmark and the huge historical past surrounding it.

Historical past Comics: Ellis Island  
By Felipe Galindo Feggo
Artwork by Tait Howard
Macmillan First Second, 2025
ISBN: 9781250768797

Firm Age Ranking: 9-13

NFNT Age Advice: Tween (10-13)