Books About Ellis Island

The Best Ellis Island Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Island Books, featuring 12 favorites and recommendations by age.

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Looking for excellent children's books about ellis island? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Ellis Island

What Was Ellis Island?
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2014

What Was Ellis Island?

By Patricia Brennan Demuth, Who HQ, David Groff (Illustrator) · What Was . . . ? series

This book tells the story of Ellis Island, the gateway to America for millions of immigrants from 1892 to 1954

112 pages· 7,068 words· Est. 59 min read
4.2 Goodreads · 643 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Explore the journey of Ellis Island, once the bustling entry point for millions seeking a new life in America. Abandoned and decaying, it was revived in the 1980s through a massive restoration effort. Now a museum, it holds the stories of countless dreams and challenges. What secrets does this iconic landmark reveal about America's past and perhaps your own history?
At Ellis Island
Sale price
$999
Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2007

At Ellis Island

By Louise Peacock, Walter Lyon Krudop (Illustrator)

Two girls' journeys intertwine at Ellis Island, bridging past and present.

5,041 words· Est. 39 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 128 ratings
Paperback
Summary: A modern girl retraces her great-great-grandmother's steps through Ellis Island, uncovering the dreams and struggles of immigrants like Sera, an Armenian girl from the 1900s. As she explores, voices from the past echo through the halls, revealing tales of hope and hardship. What secrets will she uncover about her family's journey and the countless others who sought freedom on these shores?
Rebecca and Ana
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 2009

Rebecca and Ana

By Jacqueline Greene, Robert Hunt (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the American Girl: Rebecca series

Rebecca fears her cousin's broken English will ruin a school performance.

96 pages· 11,886 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 1,649 ratings
$12.95Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: Rebecca eagerly welcomes her cousin Ana from Ellis Island, ready to share everything, even their cramped apartment. At school, Rebecca helps Ana learn English, but when tasked to include Ana in a special performance, panic sets in. Will Ana's broken English ruin the show? As the event approaches, Rebecca must confront her fears and discover what truly matters. Can she find a way to support Ana without jeopardizing the performance?
Ellis Island
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1348
Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2025

Ellis Island

By Felipe Galindo Feggo, Tait Howard (Illustrator) · History Comics series

Millions passed through one small island on their way to new lives in America.

128 pages
4.0 Goodreads · 116 ratings
$13.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Between 1892 and 1954, the immigration station on Ellis Island processed more than 12 million people arriving in the United States. This History Comics volume tells the story of the island and the immigrants who passed through it, and how it became a symbol of hope and the American dream.
The Castle on Hester Street
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1982

The Castle on Hester Street

By Linda Heller, Boris Kulikov (Illustrator)

Grandpa's wild tales clash with Grandma's reality of their journey to America.

Sydney Taylor Book Award (1982)
40 pages· 1,021 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
4.0 Goodreads · 196 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Julie listens as Grandpa spins fantastical tales of flying goats and castles on Hester Street, painting a whimsical picture of their journey from Russia to New York. But Grandma's grounded recollections challenge his stories, revealing a more realistic immigrant experience. As Julie navigates these contrasting narratives, she uncovers the heart of her family's past. What truths lie between Grandpa's imagination and Grandma's reality?
Ashes of Roses
Sale price
$1380
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2002

Ashes of Roses

By Mary Jane Auch

A young immigrant's dreams of a new life in America are tested by hardship and disaster.

250 pages
4.0 Goodreads · 4,517 ratings
$14.53Save 5%
Prebound-Sewn
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Rose Nolan arrives at Ellis Island from Ireland with her family, hoping for a better life. When part of the family is sent back, Rose and her younger sister stay on alone in New York City. Rose finds work at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, where the hours are long and the pay is poor, and then, in March 1911, a fire breaks out.
A Picnic in October
Sale price
$958
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 1999

A Picnic in October

By Eve Bunting, Nancy Carpenter (Illustrator)

A boy discovers the true meaning behind a family tradition.

32 pages· 1,266 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.0 Goodreads · 262 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Tony dreads the annual trip to Liberty Island, dismissing it as a pointless tradition. But as he learns the significance of the Statue of Liberty to his grandmother, he begins to see the celebration in a new light. What hidden stories and emotions will Tony uncover about his family's past and their connection to this iconic symbol of freedom? Join Tony on a journey of discovery and understanding, where history and personal legacy intertwine, revealing the profound impact of heritage and memory.
Ellis Island
Sale price
$1710
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2009

Ellis Island

By Raymond Bial

Millions of newcomers passed through one small harbor island on their way to America.

64 pages· 6,992 words· Est. 47 min read
3.9 Goodreads · 22 ratings
$18.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Ellis Island began as a landfill in New York Harbor and became America's most famous immigration station. From its opening in 1892 until it closed in 1954, nearly twelve million people passed through its doors. With photographs, Raymond Bial tells the story of the island itself, from picnic spot and farm to government station, and of the immigrants who first entered the United States there.
Immigration
Sale price
$1135
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2015

Immigration

By Lizann Flatt · Uncovering the Past: Analyzing Primary Sources series

Uncover the forces behind the 19th-century migration wave to North America.

48 pages· 8,690 words· Est. 58 min read
3.0 Goodreads · 4 ratings
$11.95Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Explore the 19th-century migration wave to North America, where millions sought new lives. Delve into the biases and circumstances shaping their journeys through passports, tickets, and media. Discover how history's lessons echo today, challenging us to critically assess evidence and narratives. What truths lie beneath the surface of these migrations?
Ellis Island
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2016

Ellis Island

By Elizabeth Carney · National Geographic Kids Readers series

Uncover Ellis Island's transformation from Mohegan land to iconic immigration hub.

48 pages· 2,673 words· Est. 30 min read
4.0 Goodreads · 66 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Journey through time with Ellis Island, from its origins as a Mohegan island and a haven for fishermen, to its pivotal role as an immigration gateway. Discover how this landmark evolved into a museum, preserving countless stories of hope and new beginnings. What secrets does this historic site hold, and how did it shape the nation?
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