What Emma Wrote

"'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning,' may be one of the most identifiable quotes in United States history, but few may know about the skilled author behind those words. Emma Lazarus (1849–1887) is presented as a writer whose devotion to language matures into moral clarity and civic purpose. From the outset, Lazarus’s immersion in books is not only a pastime but also helps form her ­creative interests. Disciplined reading and writing become the means through which she claims identity. Lazarus turns to language as deliberate moral expression. Language shapes how she sees the world and how she understands her responsibility within it. Set against 19th-century immigration and ­rising anti-Semitism, the ­narrative shows how historical pressures sharpened her sense of agency. When Lazarus encounters ­Jewish refugees ­seeking safety, her poetry ­expands in scope. Verse becomes public address; 'The New Colossus' stands as a literary achievement and a principled declaration, asserting belonging through artful intention. Tarcan’s illustrations mirror this movement from interior reflection to outward voice with warm earthy tones and clean lines that ground the setting historically, while Lazarus’s steady gaze signals resolve. VERDICT A measured, resonant biography that frames writing as civic engagement and self-authored identity."

—School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW

"A profile of Emma Lazarus (1849-1887), the poet who composed the words inscribed on the bronze plaque on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

Growing up in a wealthy New York City family, Emma adored writing. She penned 'stories about ancient kings. Poems about brave goddesses. Essays about biblical heroes.' Emma’s proud parents had a book of her poems printed to share with friends and relatives. But Emma longed to do more with her talent, and when she overheard family friends complaining about immigrants ('They are so poor,' 'Their clothing is ragged'), she was galvanized. Descended from Sephardic Jews who faced persecution, Emma felt a kinship with Jewish immigrants who fled Russian pogroms. She helped new arrivals obtain food and clothing and started a school for them. She published articles about her experiences and one day was invited to write a poem for the Statue of Liberty; years later, her words still reverberate. In this concise, accessible biography, Emma emerges as a thoughtful activist and writer who used her words to effect real change. Taran’s stylish, elegant illustrations complement Koffsky’s prose. Author and illustrator draw an intriguing parallel between an impoverished mother Emma encounters on Wards Island and Emma’s conception of the Statue of Liberty: If the statue could talk, Emma thinks, 'she would be like a mother, welcoming her children home'—insightful commentary that should provoke discussion among readers.

An eye-opening look at a writer who spoke truth to power. (author’s note, more about immigration, Emma Lazarus, and the Statue of Liberty, photos) (Picture-book biography. 6-10)"

—Kirkus Reviews

"The Stat­ue of Lib­er­ty is an icon­ic sym­bol of wel­come to immi­grants through­out the Unit­ed States and the world. It became a sign of inclu­sion and accep­tance due to the words of a poet, Emma Lazarus, whose immor­tal lines are inscribed upon its base.

Emma Lazarus was a Jew­ish woman who lived in the 1800s. She had always loved to write. As a child, she used her fer­tile imag­i­na­tion to record sto­ries which she loved to share with fam­i­ly and friends. She had a spe­cial feel­ing of warmth toward immi­grants, know­ing that her fam­i­ly had immi­grat­ed, too; because they were Jew­ish, they had to escape from their home­land and they came to the Unit­ed States to begin new and bet­ter lives. As a young woman, Emma spoke to many of the immi­grants who were arriv­ing dai­ly to Wards Island in New York Har­bor. She lis­tened with love and car­ing to their sto­ries of hard­ship and to their hopes for the future. She helped these immi­grants in numer­ous ways, pro­vid­ing food and cloth­ing and arrang­ing for edu­ca­tion and jobs. She fought the mis­in­for­ma­tion and fear engen­dered by the media of the day by writ­ing arti­cles in their defense. Her writ­ing helped to ame­lio­rate some of the harsh con­di­tions of their lives.

Emma heard about the Stat­ue of Lib­er­ty before it was com­plet­ed. She was invit­ed to com­pose a poem that would be inscribed on its base. She envi­sioned the giant stat­ue as a lov­ing moth­er wel­com­ing her peo­ple home. The poem she wrote was admired and accept­ed with joy. It inspired waves of immi­grants who found their places in a new land and point­ed them toward a bet­ter future.

An append­ed author’s note explains more about the Stat­ue of Lib­er­ty and what it has meant through­out the years to those seek­ing free­dom. Ann Dia­ment Koff­sky shares the sto­ry of her grand­par­ents who immi­grat­ed to the Unit­ed States in the 1920s. She explains that the Unit­ed States is known as a haven for immi­grants who seek a new life and a free­dom which they have been denied. Pho­tographs of the stat­ue and facts about its design are includ­ed. Col­or illus­tra­tions by N. Tar­can evoke a feel­ing of time and place, enhanc­ing this book and pro­vid­ing a feel­ing of opti­mism and hope."

—Jewish Book Council

"Ann Koffsky’s What Emma Wrote - The Woman The Woman Behind the Words on the Statue of Liberty is a beautifully crafted picture book that celebrates courage, creativity, and the power of words. Koffsky creates a deeply moving portrait of a girl who loved language and grew into a woman determined to use her voice to make a difference.

N. Tarcan’s illustrations are filled with warmth and perfectly compliment the text. Emma Lazarus’s personal story is connected to the values of welcoming the stranger, compassion, and justice. History is made to feel immediate and the lessons Emma voiced resonate deeply today."

—Judith Magazine