“God Bless America; The Story of an Immigrant Named Irving Berlin”
By Adah Nuchi
Do you remember how old you were the first time you heard “God Bless America?” Probably pretty young! Did you know that it was first written exactly 100 years ago this year? In his book, “God Bless America; The Story of an Immigrant Named Irving Berlin,” Adah Nuchi recounts the extraordinary life of one of America’s greatest songwriters and the musical legacy he created in America.
I am a huge fan of history and music, so this book was right up my alley. Learning that this patriotic favorite was inspired by a phrase that Irving’s mom used to repeat in their tiny New York apartment once they immigrated from Russia has brought a whole new outlook on the song.
The illustrations by Rob Polivka compliment the story beautifully. Our country has been shaped by immigrants and hard-working individuals since the beginning. The reading level of this book was a little too advanced for my five-year old daughter, the book is geared more towards kids who are 6-10 years old.