ENGL 3333; Children's Literature
Dr. Sigler

Molly's Pilgrim, Phoenix Films (1985)
Director: Jeff Brown.  Producer: Barbara Bryant. Awards

American Film Festival Blue Ribbon

CINE Gold Eagle

1985 Academy Award for Best Live-action Short Film
 

Sample Discussion/Response Questions for Molly's Pilgrim

1. What do you think the word "pilgrim" means now?

2. How would you explain Thanksgiving to someone who had never heard of it before?

3. What would you do if a classmate faced taunts and teasing like Molly did?
 

Books on the Immigrant Experience (grade level 3-4)

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. Silver at Night, illustrated by David Ray. Crown, 1994.

Bunting, Eve. How Many Days to America: A Thanksgiving Story. Clarion, 1988.

Freedman, Russell. Immigrant Kids. Dutton, 1980.

Garland, Sherry. The Lotus Seed, illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. Harcourt Brace, 1993.

Gilmore, Rachna. Lights for Gita, illustrated by Alice Priestley. Tilbury House, 1994.

Gilson, Jamie. Hello My Name Is Scrambled Eggs, illustrated by John C. Wallner. Lothrop, 1985.

Herold, Maggie Rugg. A Very Important Day, illustrated by Catherine Stock. Morrow, 1995.

Leedy, Loreen. Who's Who in My Family. Holiday House, 1995.

Leighton, Maxinne Rhea. An Ellis Island Christmas, illustrated by Dennis Nolan. Viking, 1992.

Levine, Ellen. If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island, illustrated by Wayne Parmenter. Scholastic, 1993.

Levine, Ellen. I Hate English! Illustrated by Steve Bjorkman. Scholastic, 1989.

Levitin, Sonia. Journey to America. 2nd edition. Aladdin Books, 1987.

Mayersons, Evelyn Wild. The Cat Who Escaped from Steerage. Scribner, 1990.

McKissack, Patricia. Mirandy and Brother Wind.   Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Knopf, 1988.

Moss, Marissa. In America. Dutton, 1994.

Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1988.

Press, Petra. A Multicultural Portrait of Immigration. Benchmark, 1996.

Pryor, Bonnie. The Dream Jar, illustrated by Mark Graham. Morrow, 1996.

Sandin, Joan. The Long Way to a New Land. Harper & Row, 1981.

Sandler, Martin W. Immigrants. HarperCollins, 1995.

Say, Allen. Grandfather's Journey. Houghton Mifflin, 1993.

Surat, Michele. Angel Child, Dragon Child, illustrated by Vo-Dinh Mai. Raintree, 1983.

Weihs, Erika. The Great Ancestor Hunt: The Fun of Finding Out Who You Are. Clarion, 1989.
 

Online Resources:

1. Ellis Island Online Museum  <http://www.netzone.com/~adjacobs/ellis.html>.

2. New York, NY, Ellis Island -- Immigration: 1900-1920 <http://cmp1.ucr.edu/exhibitions/immigration_id.html>. Stereoscopic photographs (3D images) from the early 20th century documenting immigration through Ellis Island.

3. Ellis Island Photos by Phillip Buehler  <http://www.icgnet.com/users/phil/ruins/ellis/index.html>.  Click on any thumbnail photo to view a larger image.

4. Internet Pen Pals <http://www.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Friendship/Pen_Pals/Kids/>.
 
 
 
 

Is the adaptation based on high-quality literature?

Does the adaptation [video, audio, filmstrip, etc.] encourage students to return to the book?

Does the adaptation enrich or extend the original material?

Is the adaptation a different experience from that of the book?

Does the adaptation invite students' imaginative participation?

Does the adaptation remain true to the original version of the story, poem or information?  Does it maintain the integrity of the original work?

Does the media producer give credit to the author of the original piece?

Does the adaptation respect the original literary art form?

Does the adaptation retain the flavor of the language of the book?

Is the adaptation geared to an appropriate age group?

Does the adaptation avoid "tacked on" moralistic messages?