Lost in the Empire City

By Avi

Separated at Ellis Island, a young immigrant must navigate Manhattan's streets alone to reunite with his family.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 182 ratings

289 pages· 66,564 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

$19.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Santo's dream of reuniting with his father in America shatters when he's separated from his family at Ellis Island. Alone in Manhattan, he faces language barriers and street dangers. Entangled with a gang of streetwise boys, Santo must navigate betrayal and hardship. Can he muster the courage and cunning needed to find his family again?

From the publisher

Newbery Medalist Avi is back with a gripping exploration of the immigrant experience at the turn of the twentieth century. A must-read for fans of Moon over Manifest and Echo Mountain.When Santo’s father left their tiny town in Italy for America, he made Santo promise to keep their family together until he has enough money to bring the rest of them to the US.It takes a few years, but Mama finally gets word that their family can join Papa. Santo couldn’t be more excited to go to America–and to see his father again. However, Santo gets separated from his mother and siblings at Ellis Island, and he is left to fend for himself on the mean streets of Manhattan. Santo doesn’t speak English, he doesn’t know anyone, and he has nowhere to go. He has no money and no help.While searching desperately for a clue as to where his family has gone, Santo gets caught up with a gang of boys who steal to stay alive. But when an unexpected betrayal leaves Santo scrambling, it will take all the street smarts he’s gained to find a way back to his family.

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