Thanks NetGalley for this book. This is exactly the kind of novel I would have loved as a 10 year old - nothing too sad or scary, an interesting story, and a sweet love interest. We follow Hinde's journey at the turn of the last century as a teen in Lithuania as she travels alone to America and then as she acclimates to her new country. It's based on a true story.

Stars: I enjoyed all of the little details. As a Jewish woman descended from ancestors in the same European region I found it very interesting.

Wishes: Though I normally don't love too much drama in a novel, I wish this book had a little more of a climax. Beyond the first chapter, there was nothing that exciting or thrilling or suspenseful. But perhaps this would be perfect for younger readers for that reason.

A beautiful story a journey a book based on the authors grandmothers life.Emotionally moving wonderfully written.A very special story.#netgalley #shewritespress

Loved the way Mary Helen Fein embellished her grandmother’s experiences to create this amazing read. The main character, Helen, immigrates from Lithuania, joining her father in New York City. The passage telling Helen’s travel on the ship culminating with her arrival and sight of the Statue of Liberty brought tears to my eyes. Also loved the fascinating glimpses of life in the garment industry during this time frame, as well as the way of life and importance of family. A very heartwarming story of a delightful family. Many thanks to Mary Helen Fein, She Writes Press, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this engaging ARC of a soon to be published book. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

A good immigration story, a little difficult for me to get into at first since it is not the usual books and themes I read but it was very good and the characters drew me in.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was an excellent glimpse of immigrant life in America in the 1900s. The author clearly did a lot of research and it was neat to read that she actually pulled from the life of her own grandmother. The main character, Helen, comes from Lithuania escaping antisemitism to work in the garment industry in NY. Helen's coming of age and figuring out relationships with family, friends, God and boys is well paced. This novel was again very detailed and more of something that I would recommend for classroom reading rather than just pleasure reading of historical fiction. Great read!

This is the beautiful story of Hinde and her journey to America as the result of her love for her brother. It follows her journey from Lithuania, through Ellis Island, to the streets of New York, and into adulthood. It is a clean book, with some romance and difficult situations thrown into the mix, but very appropriate for teens. We will be using this book during our study of pograms and the Jewish immigration from Russia.

This book grew on me as I read it. I enjoyed the fact that it was based on a real family. If I had a criticism it’s that at times the dialogue seemed a little stilted. Never the les I would highly recommend it.

Stitching a Life by Mary Helen Fein is such a passionate story. As soon as I saw the title and the description, I knew I wanted to get lost in this book. That I did! This is the first I have read by this author and I am hooked.

I felt like I was right there with each character. There is so much detail in this YA story about immigration, Lithuania, arriving in New York, family and love.. I learned so much from this story.. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to get lost in a page-turner! .

Helen recognises the danger of staying in Lithuania where there's growing anti-Semitism and the danger of her brothers being forcefully conscripted into the Russian army. Helen goes to New York to find work as a seamstress so that her family can join her as fast her money can allow. This is also her chance to discover who she really is and what values she wants to carry to the new country...

Stitching A Life provided insight into the lives of Jewish immigrants especially from Lithuania right before the outbreak of WWI. Fein recounts her family history while taking a few liberties to enable the story to flow. Nonetheless, she does not show Helen's inner conflicts and tension as she debates which Jewish beliefs she would like to embrace in America , which was a bit unbelievable.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and finished it within one sitting and provided a much needed escape.

3.5 stars

After reading the summary of Stitching a Life by Mary Helen Fein I knew I wanted to read it. Based on true events from the author’s grandmother, this historical fiction tells the story of Helen’s journey to America from Lithuania.

I loved the author’s note and epilogue in this book. Both portrayed the author’s love and connection with her grandmother that the reader can feel in the pages of the story as well. The first three quarters of the book were filled with heartache, suspense, hope, and joy.

Fein describes the setting so well, that I felt I was walking alongside Helen as she stepped onto the SS Barbossa, saw the copper Lady Liberty, and touched the new land for the first time. I didn’t want to put the book down. My only critique was I selfishly wanted more in the last quarter of the book. Her courtship and marriage seemed rushed, and I wish we would have lingered there a little more.

I was left at the end of the book wanting to know more, which is a good thing. I wanted to know if she ever reached out to her shipmate, Rebecca. Did they become penpals, or visit each other?

Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for this ARC! I truly enjoyed this book and wanted to share my voluntary and unbiased review and opinions.

Unfortunately it was a DNF for me. The writing I just couldnt get into the flow of reading. Hope others enjoy, just not for me.

Hilde is 16 years old and lives in Lithiuania in the year 1900. To escape persectution as a Jewish family and to save her younger brothers from the mandatory draft when they turn 12, the family makes a plan to settle in New York, America. This book is excellently researched has a "step back in time" feel for middle-aged readers. But...nothing really happens. There's no suspense; the characters feel a bit two-dimensional. I found myself skimming through large portions.

Stitching a Life by Mary Helen Fein is an enjoyable and interesting novel that is part biography and part historical fiction.

The author discusses in detail how she found inspiration in the story of her grandmother, Helen Breakstone Fein, and her story of immigration to the States to create a better life. She details all of the known facts, the research she did in reading and in person, and what details she filled in to create a great narrative.

We first meet Helen when she and her family are still experiencing the harrowing situation in Russia (a part of Russia that is now Lithuania). We see the hardships that she and her family are facing as Jewish citizens and all of the potential tragedies that could befall them if they stay.

We then get to follow along as Helen and her family immigrate at the turn of the 20th century to create a new, and safer existence.

They know that there will still be trials and tribulations in the new land, but opportunities exist that are not available in their volatile homeland.

It was interesting to take a peak inside one family’s immigration story and follow along to see the long-term outcomes of its members and descendants.

I truly enjoyed the book.

4/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

I couldn't get into this book after reading the first chapter. The format was more essay instead of story which made me feel disconnected. I never felt like I was reading a book. If anything, it was a history centered essay filled with an overuse of description. Imagery was used to describe every little object and person and it overtook where I felt dialogue should have been. The synopsis is intriguing, but the writing is what made me not finish this one.