The Journey to New York: then and now

Rejsen til New York: dengang og nu

New picture book tells the dual timeline story (1900 and 2024) of two girls who travel from Europe to America, highlighting the difference between travelling for vacation and immigration.

Catrine Kyster is a U.S-based Danish immigrant and historian.

The Journey to New York: then and now

Rejsen til New York: dengang og nu

New picture book tells the dual timeline story (1900 and 2024) of two girls who travel from Europe to America, highlighting the difference between travelling for vacation and immigration.

Catrine Kyster

Catrine Kyster is a U.S-based Danish immigrant and historian.

Synopsis

Two girls.

Same destination.

Two different centuries.

Anna and Nora both live in Europe and are travelling to New York City. But while Nora and her mom are excited to visit the world-famous metropolis, Anna and her family, in 1900, are embarking on the long and emotional journey to move to America.

A new way of relating the history of European immigration to the United States, the book highlights the difference between immigrating and travelling for fun as well as historical changes in travel and communication. At the heart of the story is the meaning of home and what it means to move far away.

With lovely illustrations by Signe Gabriel.

Personal note from the author

Told in a parallel story format inspired by Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank (Nancy Churnin/Yevgenia Nayberg, Lerner, 2019), my book will fit on the shelves next to The Dress and the Girl (Camille Andros/Julie Morstad, Abrams, 2018), Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story (Lesléa Newman/Amy June Bates, Abrams, 2019) and Oscar’s American Dream (Barry Wittenstein/Kirsty and Kevin Howdeshell, Schwartz&Wade, 2020).