Letters from Rifka

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade historical
• Originally Published: 1992
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 660L; grades 5-8
• Structure/Length: Four parts comprised of dated letters (epistolary format); approximately 176 pages; approximately 3 hours, 1 minute on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Rifka, a young Jewish girl, flees along with her family from Russia in 1919 due to religious persecution and the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. Rifka's journey to America is filled with hardship including illness and separation from her family. Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in history, the novel portrays Rifka's resilience and determination.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Religious persecution; historical hardships faced by immigrants; discussion of illness and disease

Karen Hesse, Author

• Bio: Born 1952; American author known for her writing for children and young adults; often focuses on historical fiction and poetry; won several awards for her work, including the Newbery Medal for Out of the Dust (1998); often addresses themes of resilience and hope; passionate about literature's power to illuminate history
• Other Works: Out of the Dust (1997); Stowaway (2000); Witness (2001); Aleutian Sparrow (2003); Brooklyn Bridge (2008); Safekeeping (2012)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• America as Land of Opportunity
• Empathy for Suffering Individuals
• Writing as Freedom

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: