[Trine Posts: 126 Status: Offline WWW]

Writing friends:
I am working on an MG historical fiction novel. Story is of a young  Norwegian immigrant coming to America in 1901. I am looking for mentor texts to study. Any suggestions? 

[dinalapomy101 Posts: 1,875 Status: Offline Happy writing to all! WWW]

Hi Ama -- great question! And I wish I had a good answer, but the fact that I can't think of a turn-of-the-century novel about a Norwegian immigrant probably means that yours needs to be written!

There are lots of MG European immigration stories -- would that help?
These come to mind:
KATERINA'S WISH by Mobley
ASHES OF ROSES by Auch
ALL OF A KIND FAMILY by Taylor
 
There are lots more about kids immigrating from other parts of the world too, of course.

Good luck! And let us know if you find a Norwegian story!

[Trine Posts: 126 Status: Offline WWW]

Yes! That does help. Thank you. I want to read all kinds of MG immigrant stories to broaden my scope. 

[HaroldU Posts: 848 Status: Online Exec. Editor, Kane Press WWW]

You might check out West of the Moon by Margi Preus--an older middle-grade, and somewhat unconventional (as you will see) but it's well worth reading...

[CyndyHenzel Posts: 93 Status: Offline WWW]

I'll plug my new MG historical, MYTH RIDER, about an immigrant girl from the country of Georgia. It, too, is somewhat unconventional.

[Trine Posts: 126 Status: Offline WWW]

   Harold and Cyndy. I will check them out.
 Congratulations, Cyndy

[rab Posts: 541 Status: Offline WWW]

You might try Jennifer L. Holm's Newbery Honor-winning debut, OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA. It's set in 1899 in Washington State. If I remember correctly, the characters are Finnish immigrants to the U.S.

[Trine Posts: 126 Status: Offline WWW]

Perfect 

[Vijaya Posts: 7,162 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Hi Ama -- great question! And I wish I had a good answer, but the fact that I can't think of a turn-of-the-century novel about a Norwegian immigrant probably means that yours needs to be written!

This.

I'm a sucker for immigrant stories ... a very beautiful one is A Step from Heaven by An Na. What's amazing is the voice -- the MC recounts life from the time she's 4 until she's 16 or so. The bulk of it is MG but it's a study in how to keep the voice consistent to the character but also maturing.

And seconding Our Only May Amelia. There's a sequel to it as well -- The Trouble with May Amelia. Good luck with your story.

Vijaya

[Trine Posts: 126 Status: Offline WWW]

Thank You, Vijaya.
I will look at this one, too. Learning the techniques of memorable voice is so important!
Blessings ~

[sheila-king-2 Posts: 5 Status: Offline Lilybell Magazine for Girls, MG fiction WWW]

"Letters from Rifka" is a favorite.

[Trine Posts: 126 Status: Offline WWW]

Yes, I have read that one. 

[Whiteteeth Posts: 4 Status: Offline]

I'll plug my new MG historical, MYTH RIDER, about an immigrant girl from the country of Georgia. It, too, is somewhat unconventional.

Oh wow. I just came home from Georgia a few months ago and thought it was fascinating. I had an idea to set a future MG fiction book there. There is so much potential with the ancient crumbling castles, fortresses and monasteries everywhere, and especially with all the stray dogs that are so friendly that they seem like pets. I'm just not sure what the actual plot would be though. But it is an incredible setting.

[Vijaya Posts: 7,162 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Trine, not an immigrant story precisely but The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz is set early 1900s about a girl from the far coming to the city. Beautiful story. LAS is one of my favorite authors. You'd love her too.