My Name Is America: The Journal Of Otto Peltonen, A Finnish Immigrant (My Name Is America)

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Genre: Juvenile Historical Fiction; Iron mines and mining; Juvenile Fiction; Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical; Strikes and lockouts; Children: Grades 4-6; Social Issues - Emigration and Immigration; Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General; Emigration and immigration; Historical - United States - 20th Century; Fiction; Finnish Americans;

Average Review: 4.5 stars

Review: The Journal of Otto Peltonen : If you think it's tough just changing schools imagine moving across the Atlantic Ocean! Well that's the dilemma Otto Peltonen has to endure in the book The Journal of Otto Peltonen written by William Durbin. As Otto moves from his homeland in Finland he has to adjust to a lower class life in Minnesota. Specifically he lives in a place called Fintown. Fintown is a place where all foreigners are banished to work for a mining company. He has one good friend named Nikko Nikkola. He has tons of books that he shares with Otto so that's what he did with his extra time. As time goes by Otto lives in fear of being killed in the mines or hoping his future would be much better than his present life. But what there family finds most important is maintaining their dignity. What the book tries to tell you is that you shouldn't take your life for granted because the lives of these immigrants probably had a tougher time through life than you. and what I found interesting and amazing at the same time is that they had a positive attitude with there situation. As you can see this book is a compelling journey back to the 1900's that will make you appreciate your life a lot. I recommend this book for 5-7th graders alike that love historical fiction! I hope you hunt down this book because it's unforgettable.