Bessie's Pillow - TOS Review Crew

How can one person remind us that no matter when or from where we came to America, we are not so different? The exciting story is found in the book Bessie’s Pillow by Linda Bress Silbert published by StrongLearning Inc.

In 1906, Boshka Markman, a Jewish 18 year old girl, leaves her family in Vilna, Lithuania to sail to America and begin a new life. This historical novel, based on a true story, is written in first person. The story grabs your attention from the very first page and puts you into Bessie’s (her American name) shoes. You will walk with her through the humiliation of immigrant inspections in Hamburg, travel with her on the S.S. Moltke and live with her in early 20^th century New York City before she settles in the small city of New Rochelle.

This is not just a story about a pillow. Bessie’s story is one of courage, of tragedy, of perseverance, and of loyalty. It’s a story of gratefulness for hands extended and paying the kindness forward. You will have to read the book to find out how she lives the American dream.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about history through literature. Bessie’s Pillow is a story you will never forget!

Discover Bessie's America with an interactive multi-media guide to the movies, musicals, people, and events of the early 20th century. Resources include links to vintage videos to expand student's knowledge about European Immigration, the Progressive Era, famous people, food, health, disease, movies, music, radio, presidents,  events, places, and social movements during Bessie’s lifetime. Download the Bessie's Pillow Teacher Guide for discussion questions and projects from book reports to term papers. You can easily adapt the suggested questions and assignments to the grade, skills, and abilities, and interests of your students.

Bessie’s Pillow is Linda’s first novel. Daughter of Ann Dreizen and granddaughter of Bessie Markman Dreizen, Linda Bress Silbert was born and raised in New Rochelle, New York, where she, like Bessie’s children, attended Trinity School. When Linda was 11, her family moved a few miles north to Eastchester. Linda and her husband Al, both of whom have doctorates in education, are the owners of Strong Learning Inc.

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