Major Theme:

Family heritage, courage, and hope

Summary:

Jessie and her grandmother live on a poor village in Europe.  jessie was chosen by their rabbi to travel to America to work in a dress shop.  The story deals with separation, life, and reunion.

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

Why did the Grandmother insist the Jessie learn to sew?

How did Jessie feel about the Rabbi's decision to send her to America/

How did the Grandmother feel about the Rabbi's decision to send Jessie to America?

Question #4

Have you ever been separated from someone close to you?  Parent?  Grandparent?  Relative?  Friend?

Question #5

How did you feel about the separation?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

What did Jessie do to pass the time on the ship to America?

Describe the first three years Jessie lived in America.

Do you think Jessie was happy in America? 

Why or Why not?

Question #10

What was the one thing Jessie wanted more than anything?

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Describe something you want more than anything for your family?

Question #14

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Make a cardboard or construction paper paper lace picture frame for a student or family picture.

Read "Molly's" Pilgrim."  Create a venn diagram compare and contrast chart between the two books.

Write a "diary" as if you were Jessie.  ...Lou.  ...or Grandmother.

Extension #4

Draw a comparison picture of the village in Europe versus America.

Extension #5