SSYRA Book Review Details (3-5)
Summer 2007 Title: A House of Tailors Author : Patricia Reilly Giff
Note: Only Title and Author Questions will be included in Book Bash PART ONE: General Information including sensitive issues/contentThis title would be most appropriate for 5th grade girls. This book would not be appropriate for 3rd graders (and some 4th) due to depressing historical subject matter, including child labor and smallpox. While this is a book about overcoming hardships to succeed, the ongoing obstacles the characters face are depressing. Additionally, there is little to engage the interest of traditional boy readers. Possible concerns: Dina’s aunt is sick and realizes she is pregnant (p.44), Dina’s first love interest (not inappropriate), child labor, smallpox carts and searches, poverty, apartment fire, homesickness, inability to see family or return to homeland. Main Characters: Dina (main character- 14 yrs. old), Katharina (Dina’s older sister), Mama (Dina’s mother), Franz and Friedrich (Dina’s brothers), Barbara (Uncle’s young wife), Uncle Lucas (New York Uncle), Maria (Barbara and Uncle’s toddler), Aunt Ida (New York relative), Mr. Eis (shopkeeper client of Uncle’s), Johann (boy from tailor shop), Mrs. Koch (wealthy client) Settings: Briesach, Germany (1870), Brooklyn, New York (1871) Plot: Dina goes to live with her Uncle and his family in New York after being accused by German soldiers of being a spy. There, she is expected to work as a tailor, work she had hoped not to do again. She struggles with the family through a smallpox epidemic, financial worries and an apartment fire. In the end, she begins working towards her own future as a dress and hat designer. Vocabulary Words: smallpox (49), promenade (17), coveted (16), greenhorn (64), tailor (32), locksmith (79), kerchief (33), bodice (8), pattern (55), icebox (92), parlor (117), petticoat (113), carcasses (47) Themes: immigrants, child labor, life in the 1800’s, dealing with hardships, finding one’s place in the world, sense of home, accepting responsibility, family relationships, growing up.
Lessons Learned: The “grass is not greener” in America (more poverty, no escape from being a tailor). Things aren’t always what they seem (America, Dina not being a spy). Actions have consequences (Dina’s escapade to get a pattern leads to her being accused of being a spy). Follow your dreams (to become a designer). Step up to your responsibilities (to help the family). Eventually, a new place can become “home” (wanting to stay in America).