Summary: Visit the Lower East Side of New York through the eyes of five children and their families who live in the same building over the course of a century. Meet Jenny Epstein in the 1910s, Anna Cozzi in the 1930s, José Marte in the 1960s, Maria Torres in the 1980s, and Wei Yei on the Lower East Side of today.
See how, as each child grows, they make an impact on the family that comes after them, from Jenny growing in to the young Anna Cozzi’s English teacher to Maria Torres running the comic store where Wei Yei shops. Five Stories is a cross section of American history that celebrates the many diverse cultures that make up our nation – from the food we eat to the ways we worship and the families we love.
(Summary from book flap – Image is mine – This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review)
My Review: Five Stories explores the lives of five different families who have lived in the same apartment building on the Lower East Side of New York City over the course of a century. Each story is told from a child’s perspective as they discuss different aspects of their lives, histories, and culture. Right out of the gate, I was tickled by the titular pun –> a book called Five Stories tells five stories about a building that is five stories. My brain absolutely lit up at the play on words.
This book has a nostalgic feel that may appeal to fans of The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton who like to see historical progression within a story. I love the illustrations, which show the evolution of an apartment building and the surrounding neighborhood over time. With a turn of each colorful page, readers will watch as fashions change, businesses come and go, and transportation evolves in a bustling borough. There is plenty of detail to explore on every page and it was interesting to see how the illustrator chose to depict the flow of history through their artwork.
For the Sensitive Reader: All Clear
