ISBN: 0578442884 9780578442884

Category: Biography & Autobiography / General

Page count: 20

In 1938, Hanni Myers and her family escaped from Vienna to the United States at the start of World War II. Eight year old Hanni stood on the deck of the S.S. Washington, holding her doll Lili as the ship pulled into New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty, her torch held high, welcomed Hanni and her family along with other Jewish refugees from Europe. Eight decades later, Hanni -- a vibrant, energetic teacher, musician, hiker, mother and grandmother -- sat down with Robin Stein to tell her story. The result is My Two Cities, A Story of Immigration and Inspiration. Told in verse and illustrated with authentic family photos, the story explores the perseverance of Hanni and her family, the promise the United States offered immigrants and the triumph of the human spirit. Designed for children, teens and adults, My Two Cities has sparked important conversations about overcoming hardship, fighting prejudice, adapting to a new country, keeping old traditions and becoming part of a diverse American society. Robin offers programs on these topics for schools, libraries, senior centers, houses of worship and other venues in person in the Boston area and virtually on Zoom.