Editorial Review

A noteworthy review of Our Cultural Heritage from Children's Literature on November 1, 2002

Cover: Russian Americans

Russian immigration to the United States is both a historical and modern day phenomena. While it is true that waves of immigrants from Russia surged across the Atlantic in the late 19th century and following the Russian Revolution of 1917, the process of coming to America from ‘Mother Russia’ continues. At present, the breakup of the former Soviet Union into multiple nation-states has precipitated a new flow of Russian immigrants. Approximately 50% of the immigrants who traveled from Russia to America are Jewish, however the present set of Slavic immigrants is more diverse in nature. In this illustrated work readers are afforded a snapshot of the Russian-American immigration and acculturation experience. Initially, Russian immigrants found life in America difficult. Jobs in meat packing plants in Chicago or on wheat fields in the Great Plains were starting points for many of those Russians who braved the journey to a New World. Yet, as the years passed, many Russians melded into the broader American culture. Modern day Russian immigrants are coming to America for reasons similar to their predecessors. Poverty and lack of opportunity in their homeland has spawned yet another wave of immigration. As the author of this well developed study points out, these immigrants not only find opportunity in their new homeland but also expand the diverse nature of American society.

—Greg M. Romaneck

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