It's 1902 in a small German town when a traveler turns up spouting catchy songs about adventures in America. To the townspeople, the land sounds like paradise, and ten-year-old Johann Bonfert is excited when his own family begins planning a life overseas. His father and brother leave early to find jobs in the steel mills of Ohio, and the rest of the family follows later in a long, miserable sea journey. Johann soon discovers, however, that it's not easy to start life from scratch. America's not paradise, and assimilation can be difficult, especially for grownups. Author Karin Gundisch's American debut is a heartwarming and finely observed book that speaks to the enduring struggles all immigrants face, whether in 1902 or 2002. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.