Jessie lives with her grandmother. Their life is simple, but happy. Grandmother sews lace for a living and teaches Jessie to do the same. Then one day, the village rabbi receives a ticket to America, the land of wealth and opportunity, and decides that Jessie should be the one to go. Too soon, the day of Jessie's departure arrives and the start of her long voyage across the sea. Jessie must say goodbye to her old life and her beloved grandmother, to whom she entrusts a precious keepsake, hoping that one day they will be reunited. Set at the turn of the nineteenth century, Amy Hest's stirring romantic tale of a young girl's memorable adventure is illustrated with pictures of magnificant eloquence and beauty.

 

This book was recognised by the Kate Greenaway Medal Award. The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by childrens librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

There are 40 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 1999 by Walker Books Ltd .

P. J. Lynch is one of the most talented illustrators working today. He has won many awards, including the Mother Goose Award, the Irish Bisto Award (twice) and the Kate Greenaway Medal (twice). He lives in Dublin. Amy Hest has written over 30 books including the New York Times bestseller Kiss Goodnight, In the Rain with Baby Duck and When Jessie Came Across the Sea which was the recipient of the Christopher Medal. She lives in New York City, USA. Amy Bates is the illustrator of Hair For Mama and Celebrating Psalm 118 by Karma Wilson. She lives in Philadelphia, USA.