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Train to Poland
Rifka was able to distract the guards from her hidden family, by chatting about a German pilot. Just as they were about to discover her family, her Uncle Avrum told them that his factory was robbed, so they went with him. Rifka and her family were able to successfully make it onto the train to Poland. -
The Polish border
When Rifka, her brothers, and her parents reached the Polish border, they all had to be examined by a doctor, who made them strip down. Their things were taken to be fumigated, and those who did the job stole Rifka's mother's candlesticks. -
Typhus
Rifka and her family could not yet leave Poland for America, for Rifka had come down with typhus. -
New place to stay
Saul found a room in a rundown inn for them to stay in. Saul found work to pay for the room and food. Every day he brought a herring and two rolls for breakfast, and split the food evenly with Rifka. She saved some of her food for him one day, since he was bigger and worked all day, and she wanted to return his kindness. It was stolen by the innkeeper's daughter. Rifka started looking in on her mother in the hospital during the day, and once a doctor even let her sit next to her mother. -
No more typhus - headed for Warsaw
The family survived the typhus, and got on a train to Warsaw, where thay would pick up the money for their steamship tickets. Rifka went on a walk on the train, and discovered a girl breast feeding a baby. She decided to fix the girl's hair, and told how she was heading to America, which she thought was silly. Rifka wanted to get off the train since she had to use the bathroom. -
Ringworm - America off limits
Rifka and her mother had to be examined by a doctor before they could gain passage to America, Her mother passed the exam, but Rifka did not. She had a skin disease on her scalp that she caught from the girl on the train with the child, ringworm. Rifka bought an orange from an old man, using all the money for food her mother gave her. The man called her a thief, lying that Rifka took his oranges. Her father had to give him money to quiet him. -
Treatment in Belgium
Rifka's parents met with a lady from HIAS, who said that Nathan Saul, Mama, and Papa could go to America, but Rifka had to go to Belgium to recieve treatments for the ringworm until it healed. Her hair is falling out, so she wears the kerchief to cover her head. She wants to go bach to Russia, but cannot because it would put the rest of the family, as well as herself, in great danger. -
In Antwerp, Belgium
Rifka was living with an old couple, Gaston and Marie. She just turned 13. Her hair was completely gone, and she was recieving her treatments from Sister Katrina. She wanted to go out and play with a girl she saw that looked like Hannah, but she worried she will be disliked since she's a Jew. -
Lost in Antwerp
Rifka went out to explore Antwerp, and came across a giant of a man with golden teeth, who scared Rifka. She ran and ran, and became lost. So, she asked a milkman to show her to King Street, since he reminded her of her Uncle Zeb. He showed her back to her house, and she kissed his hand. -
In love with Antwerp
Rifka came to love Antwerp. She played with the children, and Marie and Gaston were kind to her. She also loved the food, especially the ice cream and chocolate. Her ringworm was healing, and she wanted to learn to make ice cream in America. -
No more ringworm - ready for America
Rifka's ringworm completely healed, and she was ready for America. Despite her joy, she still was without hair. She bought a ticket for the steamship to America to sail in steerage, and had been learning English. She bought a present for Sister Katrina, also. -
Pieter the sailor
Rifka met a young sailor in the lounge of the ship named Pieter. He is like a brother to Rifka. He jokes, they trade songs, and he teaches her dances. One day, he told her she was brave, complimented her skill of learning languages, and kissed her on the lips. He immediately ran away after his affectionate display. -
Storm at sea
Rifka came aboard one day to find a huge storm occurring. She found Pieter, and he saved her from the storm. He told her to go into the hold, and she did. When she asked a sailor where Pieter was after the storm, he said Pieter was lost overboard. The ship's engines died, and another ship had to come to tow the ship. -
Ellis Island
This was the day Rifka arrived at Ellis Island which, according to Papa, means she is neither in nor out of America. The captain's company notified the passengers' families, and Rifka wore her best hat. She saw the Statue of Liberty pulling into port. -
Exams at Ellis Island
Rifka was examined by a doctor before she could enter America. He detained her, because she had no hair. This meant that the U.S. government would have to view her as a social responsibility. The HIAS lady told her they worried she would not grow up to become a wife, which she argued. -
Staying at Ellis Island
Rifka was visited by Saul at Ellis Island, but they sent him away. She helped take care of a Polish baby with typhus. She also met a Russian immigrant boy, Ilya, who would not eat because he wanted to go back to Russia. She gave him some food, and he followed her around. -
Visit from family
Saul visited Rifka, and was shocked by her lack of hair. When Doctor Askin greeted Rifka and Saul, he said nothing. Rifka introduced Saul to Ilya, and they dropped the Pushkin when fighting over it. He disliked Ilya. Rifka gave Saul her saved money to buy candlesticks for her mother. -
Mama
Rifka's mother came to visit, and brought her a honey cake for her thirteenth birthday. Rifka let her examine her scalp, and her mother watched her do chores she did daily. She was impressed. -
Wasting paper
Ilya got away from Rifka, and she found him unrolling toilet paper. She scolded him and went running with him, since she thought they would be in trouble. Nurse Bowen told her it was not a crime to waste paper in America, and even gave her paper so she could begin writing her own poetry. -
Typhus strikes again
The baby that Rifka was taking care of died from her typhus, and Rifka's head has begun to itch again. Also, Mr. Fargate told her her family would be coming the next day when her case would be decided. Ilya's uncle was coming, also. -
America at last
Ilya and Rifka both made it into America. Ilya's uncle got him to read the Pushkin to show he was intelligent by telling him that he did want him. Ilya then passed and was allowed to go to America. When they tried to check to see if Rifka had any hair, she told them that she could have a good life without hair. Ilya showed Fargate Rifka's poems to convince him. Wrapped in a great hug, Rifka's kerchief fell of, and she discovered the itching was caused by her hair growing back.
