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by Dorothy Kon Catalani (Author), Jim Catalani (Author), Joan Wilson Stephens (Illustrator)
This book is written in honor of our grandparents. They all left the 'old country' in the early 1900's in quest of a better life and a promise of freedom. They left their homes with a trunk or two of personal objects, very little money and not speaking English. They brought with them the will and determination to make a new life in the United States and to become Americans, never again returning to their homeland. Each of them sought to quickly assimilate with other immigrants in their new community, determined to learn and speak English. They worked hard in mills and factories, grew their own food to feed their large families, celebrated their own religion in freedom and never once took anything from the government. They were way too proud to do that because they were just happy to be Americans. We thank our grandparents for risking everything and coming to America, through Ellis Island, so that we could have a share of this great country, America's grandeur and America's freedom. God Bless America "Every Child in America should be acquainted with his country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country." Noah Webster "It's important for young people and Americans in general to know the Constitution. You cannot preserve what you do not revere. You cannot protect what you do not comprehend. You cannot defend what you do not know." Justice Anthony Kennedy One Nation Under God In God We Trust
