Letters from Rifka facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Karen Hesse |
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| Country | Russia |
| Subject | This book is about a Jewish girl named Rifka who escapes Russia after being threatened by the government. She makes her way to America to seek a new beginning. |
| Genre | Children's historical novel, epistolary novel |
| Publisher | Henry Holt & Co. (Macmillan) |
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Publication date
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July 15, 1992 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 148 pp |
| ISBN | 9780805019643 |
| OCLC | 25205387 |
| LC Class | PZ7.H4364 Le 1992 |
Letters From Rifka is a historical novel for young readers. It was written by Karen Hesse and published in 1992. The story is about a Jewish family's journey from Russia in 1919. They travel to Belgium and then finally to the United States.
Karen Hesse wrote this book to teach young readers about immigration. She wanted to show what it was like for people moving to America a long time ago. She also wanted to show that people can be strong and brave, even when things are very hard.
Letters from Rifka won several awards. These include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, and the Phoenix Award.
Contents
The Story of Rifka's Journey
The story takes place in 1919, during the Russian Civil War. Rifka Nebrot and her family must leave Russia. This is because the army is looking for her brother, Nathan. He left his army duties. If caught, the whole family could face the death penalty.
Rifka's three older brothers, Isaac, Asher, and Reuben, are already in the United States. Rifka, her parents, and her brothers Nathan and Saul want to join them.
Rifka's Letters
Rifka tells her story through letters she writes to her cousin, Tovah. Tovah stayed behind in Russia. Rifka writes her letters in the blank spaces of a poetry book. This book once belonged to Tovah. Each letter includes the date, Rifka’s location, and a special sign-off. An example is, “Pray for me, please, Rifka.”
Challenges on the Way
On their way to America, the family faces many problems. Mean officials make their journey harder. The family also suffers from hunger and theft. Rifka gets ringworm, a skin disease. This forces her to stay in Belgium while her family goes to America.
In Belgium, Jewish people are treated kindly. A caring doctor named Dr. Marinus helps Rifka get better. Once she is healthy, she leaves Belgium to find her family.
The Ship to America
Rifka travels to America on a large ship. She becomes friends with a sailor named Pieter. They form a close bond. But a big storm happens during the trip, and Pieter dies. When Rifka learns he is gone, she cries. She cries for Pieter and for all the hard things she has been through.
Arrival at Ellis Island
Finally, the ship arrives at Ellis Island. This was the main entry point for immigrants in New York. But Rifka cannot enter America right away. Her ringworm has returned. Ringworm was common at Ellis Island. So, Rifka is sent to a hospital there.
While getting treatment, Rifka discovers she is good at helping others. She also meets Ilya, another child from Russia. Ilya is shy and frail. Rifka becomes his friend. She learns that he is very smart. She also helps Ilya improve his relationship with his uncle. She explains that his uncle cares about him.
Ilya practices his English with Rifka's help. He then shows his skills by reading from Rifka's poetry book. Because of this, he is allowed to enter the United States. Rifka also recovers from her ringworm. She reads her own writings in English. She is then allowed to enter America too. Finally, she reunites with her family.
Main Characters
- Rifka Nebrot: The main character and narrator of the story. She faces many challenges on her way to America.
- Ethel and Beryl Nebrot: Rifka’s parents.
- Isaac, Asher, and Reuben Nebrot: Rifka’s older brothers who moved to America years before the story starts.
- Nathan Nebrot: Rifka’s brother who left his duties in the Russian army.
- Saul Nebrot: Rifka’s brother who often teases her.
- Uncle Avrum: Rifka’s uncle who helps the family escape Russia.
- Tovah: Uncle Avrum’s daughter. Rifka writes letters to her in a poetry book.
- Dr. Marinus: A kind doctor in Belgium who helps Rifka recover from ringworm.
- Pieter: A sailor who becomes a close friend to Rifka on the ship to America.
- Ilya: A young Russian boy Rifka meets at Ellis Island. They become good friends.
- Mr. Fargate: The person at Ellis Island who decides who can enter America.
Important Lessons from the Book
"Letters from Rifka" teaches us many important things:
- Courage: Rifka and her family were very brave to leave their home. They faced many difficult challenges.
- Kindness: Even when things were hard, Rifka and others showed kindness to each other.
- Friendship: Rifka's friendships with Pieter and Ilya helped her through tough times.
- Hope: Rifka never gave up hope that she would be reunited with her family.
Awards and Recognition
"Letters from Rifka" has won several awards:
- Sydney Taylor Book Award (1992)
- National Jewish Book Award (1993)
- Phoenix Award (2016)
Interesting Facts About Letters from Rifka
- Karen Hesse wrote Letters from Rifka for young adult readers. She believes they look for books that "challenge their intelligence, confirm their beliefs, and console them in their times of turmoil."
- The main character's name, Rifka, is the East European Jewish version of Rebecca.
- The story is based on the real-life experiences of Karen Hesse's great-aunt, Lucille Avrutin.
