Hope and Tears―Ellis Island Voices

?An original collection of voices, filled with hope and tears, chronicles the history of Ellis Island and the people it served. Indians, settlers, immigrants, inspectors, doctors, nurses, cooks, and social workers all played a big part in that history. Author Gwenyth Swain reimagines the lives of those who landed, lived, and worked on the island through fictional letters, monologues, dialogues, and e-mails, basing them on historical documentation and real-life people. In doing so, she creates a moving picture of their struggles and triumphs. Illustrated with poignant and affecting photographs, this is a unique exploration of Ellis Island's history. Includes further resources, bibliography, and source notes.

Gwenyth Swain is the author of more than two dozen books for young readers. She runs the library at Twin Cities Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota. Swain was inspired to write about Ellis Island after hearing her grandmother's stories of a visit to the immigration station in the early 1900s. She lives in St. Paul. Hope and Tears was supported in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.