Lost in the Empire City

When Santo is eight, his father emigrates to the U.S. and charges the boy with protecting their family. Despite many hardships (hunger, sickness, death of family members, and illiteracy), Santo succeeds well enough until, five years later when the family lands at Ellis Island, he becomes separated from his mother and siblings. When Papa fails to meet him, Santo wanders New York City alone, joins a gang of child thieves, and eventually is recruited by a wealthy art thief. Santo knows what he is doing is wrong but feels trapped by his situation. Avi's descriptions of the marvels of New York City circa 1910 (electric lights, the subway, central heating, and indoor plumbing) are juxtaposed against the harsh realities of life for immigrant kids on the street, many of whom have little choice other than a life of thievery if they want to survive. As with Avi's other historical titles, the pacing is brisk (filled with increasingly perilous situations) and tension builds to a satisfying, if somewhat unlikely, conclusion.

After five years apart, 13-year-old Santo Alfonsi, along with his mother and siblings, leaves his small Italian village home to join his father in 1910 America. Upon his arrival following a wretched ocean journey to New York City, Santo is separated from his family and must make his way alone in the unfamiliar, crowded metropolis. Determined to discover his loved ones' fates but lacking the resources to do so, he falls in with the Downtown Dukes, a child street gang, and encounters danger at every turn. Santo counts himself fortunate to be saved from potential imprisonment by wealthy, kindly Mr. Ashbury--until he finds out that Mr. Ashbury is a thief of higher caliber than the Downtown Dukes. Now Santo must extricate himself from a life of crime before it's too late. Atmospheric and richly detailed, this historical adventure depicts the chaos and confusion of early-20th-century N.Y.C. through the eyes of an inexperienced yet capable narrator. Avi (The Secret Sisters) maintains a razor-sharp level of tension, desperation, and claustrophobia as Santo narrowly escapes danger time and again in his quest for his family and a place to belong. Ages 8--12. Agent: Gail Hochman, Brandt & Hochman Literary. (Oct.)

Separated from his family while immigrating to America, a teenage boy must learn to survive in New York City. When Santo Alfonsi was about 8, he promised his father he'd care for his family until they could all be reunited in America. Five years later, following an arduous journey from their Italian village, Santo's mother, brother, and sister are detained at Ellis Island. Officials send Santo ahead, but when the ferry arrives, his father is nowhere to be found. With no money and little knowledge of English, Santo is left to fend for himself until a child gang leader takes him under his wing. Together, they commit petty crimes, until a chance encounter with a wealthy gentleman changes Santo's fate. Welcomed into the home of the affluent Ashbury family, Santo glimpses the prosperous America he's dreamed of. Still, his goal remains firm: to find his family and honor his promise to his father. Avi guides readers through Santo's immigration journey, capturing the hopeful belief in an America paved with gold, the perilous Atlantic crossing, and the harrowing experience at Ellis Island that leads to Santo's struggle on the streets. In a world where he has little control, Santo strives to navigate his way. Early-20th-century New York City comes to life through vivid descriptions of its people, smells, and sounds. The first-person narrative deepens the immersive experience. A gripping tale of one young immigrant's resilience and determination. (author's note)(Historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.