Emma's Poem by Linda Glaser

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Glaser, Linda, Emma’s Poem. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books, 2010. PICTURE BOOK.

Emma Lazarus was a wealthy young lady. She lived in a large, comfortable house in New York with her family as a child where she learned to read and write. When she grew up, she became a well-known writer. One day while walking past Ward’s Island in the New York Harbor, she sees recently arrived immigrants and how warn, tired, poor, and sick they look. Inspired by their story, she volunteers her time helping them learn English and get training for jobs.  One day, Emma learns about a stature being constructed in France and how America needs to raise money for its pedestal. When asked to write a poem for a book for the fundraiser, her experience with the immigrants inspires her to write a poem about poor, hungry, and huddled masses. This message was the only poem read at the Statue of Liberty fundraiser and still outlives the poet to this day engraved on the lady’s pedestal.

An easy biography about the famous poet who helped to raise money for the Statue of Liberty. The text is simple, but informative. The illustrations complement well the text. Readers who need an easy biography for school or are interested in America’s history will enjoy this book. EL(K-3.  ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.