CLA Children’s Book of the Year Award 2008 longlist

CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2008

Children’s Crown Award 2009 Finalist

Sammy has learned to live by his wits on the voyage from Poland to the Jewish immigrant community that is to be his new home in New York City. It is here he discovers that the vibrant, noisy streets of New York are alive with challenge - even more of a challenge than his new school. Will it be Sammy’s wits, or his beautiful singing voice that will keep him out of trouble in the games of stickball in the rough-and-tumble streets?

Rona Arato has written a humorous, life-affirming story about a young boy standing up for himself in the midst of peer pressure from a local gang, prejudice against new immigrants, and his own desire to be accepted for who he is.