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Minsha's Night on Ellis Island

Illustrated by Claire Powell
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About The Book

Follow Minsha, a determined terrier, as she travels to Ellis Island in this third book of the At the Heels of History series, inspired by important events and told through the eyes, ears, and noses of dogs.

1921. Minsha loves her human family, especially nine-year-old Leila. But Leila’s family has decided to leave their home in Beirut for a new life in America—and they can’t take Minsha with them. Minsha is devastated, but she’s also a dog of action, so she stows away on a second ship bound for New York. She knows she’s supposed to stay hidden away, but she can’t help but make friends with a boy named Yusef and his family.

When their ship arrives at Ellis Island, Yusef is suspected of being sick and is separated from his family. Even though Minsha is anxious to find Leila, she can’t leave Yusef alone, either. As Minsha sniffs out a solution, she’ll have to contend with a territorial gang of cats, some helpful sparrows, and a surprisingly friendly rat. But will her new friends be enough to reunite Yusef and his family? And will it be too late for Minsha to reunite with hers?

About The Authors

Photograph (c) Mason Foster Photography
Pam Berkman

Pam Berkman has written books for grown-ups and At the Heels of History is her first series for kids. She loves writing about events in history and thinking about how they connect to things that are happening today. She also works as an editor. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and twin sons.

Photograph (c) Jerry Bauer
Dorothy Hearst

Dorothy Hearst is the author of the Wolf Chronicles trilogy. She loves writing about canine characters, birds, and other creatures who can give us the chance to see ourselves in new ways. She is an acquiring editor, a martial artist, a self-defense instructor-in-training, an avid hiker and reader, and a dog lover. She is not entirely domesticated, but is very food motivated.

About The Illustrator

Claire Powell

Claire Powell is a bestselling children’s book illustrator working in London. She started out designing for big-hitting television brands before an impromptu visit to a children’s book exhibition led her down the path of illustration. Self-taught, Claire got her first book deal in 2016 and has never looked back. www.claire-powell.com

Product Details

  • Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (August 18, 2020)
  • Length: 208 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534433403
  • Ages: 6 - 9

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Intermediate Title

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this illustrator: Claire Powell

More books in this series: At the Heels of History