I Lift My Lamp: Emma Lazarus and the Statue of Liberty (Jewish Biography Series)

by Nancy Smiler Levinson

Book Overview

A biography of the American poet, activist for humane causes, and friend to immigrants, who authored the noble words now inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525671803
• ISBN13: 9780525671800
• Release Date: June 1986
• Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
• Length: 102 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Fascinating read on a often forgotten personality

"I Lift my Lamp" fascinatingly relates the story of the poet and her poem, "The New Colossus" that was ultimately placed upon the Statue of Liberty as well as the story of how the statue itself was built. The book is first the story of the rarefied world of aristocratic Emma. Yet it is revealed as an unsatisfying existence...until such point as Emma realizes her fate lies with the impoverished both of her own people and humanity at large. Interesting vignettes about her friendship with Ralph Waldo Emerson are also brought to life. In parallel, the story of the construction of the Statue of Liberty by Auguste Bartholdi unfolds. So you do learn quite a bit. One nitpick is that I thought the story dwelled a bit to much on the moods of the author, I would have preferred a little slimming down in that area in favor of moving along with the facts ...but this is truly a minor point. The climax of how the poem is saved from the dust bin is marvelous!