The Ribbon Book Club

Historical Note: The Tenement Museum's Kathryn Lloyd and Amanda Adler Brennan

Dear Diary, 
It's guest-pert day! This week, we have not one, but TWO guests to talk to us about the real history of life in the tenements of the Lower East Side. Read on to get to know our guests a little better! 
Kathryn Lloyd is the Vice President of Programs and Interpretation at the Tenement Museum, where she oversees museum programming and educator training to explore social issues through personal experiences, and to connect people to each other through interpretation of the past. Most recently, she lead the interpretive development for the newest permanent exhibit, A Union of Hope: 1869, about a Black tenement family in post-Civil War New York, and lead the project team that developed the museum’s newest walking tour, Reclaiming Black Spaces.
Through her work with Turnstile Tours and her previous roles in tourism and the museum world, Amanda has brought her passion for storytelling, and for the city’s history and culture to visitors from around the world. As a native New Yorker with immigrant roots in New York’s Lower East Side, the experience of turn of the century Jewish immigrants has always been a subject of particular interest.  Amanda has a background in museum education and visitor services, having worked previously for the Museum of Modern Art, Tenement Museum, HistoryMiami, and as the host of How to Be American, the Tenement Museum’s podcast that explores multiculturalism and American identity through the stories immigrants, migrants and refugees. When she’s not working, Amanda enjoys traveling, crafting and spending time with her husband, two sons and rescue pooch, Millie. 
Tune in for our fascinating conversation! 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl part 2: Zipping Through the American Dream

Dear Diary, 
This week, we're finishing our recap of Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl.
What an action-packed second half! This book has everything: family drama, tragic deaths, labor issues, entrepreneurship, and Yiddish theater! Join us as we dig deeper into Zippy's first year in America. 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl part 1: Tradition!

Dear Diary,
Fall is here, and we're back in the podcast saddle! This week we're starting our discussion on Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl. The book was written by Kathryn Laskey (her second of the series) and was published in 1998. 
Zipporah (Zippy), her Mama, and two sisters have just arrived at Ellis Island after fleeing Russian pogroms. While she is thrilled to be reunited with her father, Zippy is not immediately impressed by the small tenement they are to live in on Orchard Street in the Lower East Side of New York. She is even less thrilled to meet their tenant, Reb Simcha. 
Luckily, Zippy meets some new friends, Bluma (Blu) Wolf, and Yitzy Silver. The Feldman family and their friends must find the balance between preserving their faith traditions and adapting to American culture.
Tune in, and count how many references we make to Fiddler on the Roof!
Yours Truly,
Cate and Jen
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Diary of Theresa Angelino Viscardi part 2: Sister Feels

Dear Diary,
This week we are wrapping up our discussion on West to a Land of Plenty: The Diary of Theresa Angelino Viscardi! And boy, there is so much to discuss. 
We pick up where we left off, with the Viscardis and Co. who have exchanged a steam train for a wagon train and are making their way across the Dakotas. Disease and death plague the travellers and families are forced to make tough decisions. Theresa finds her courage but loses something important. Tune in to find out what happens! 
Yours truly, 
Cate and Jen 
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Diary of Theresa Angelino Viscardi part 1: West to a Land of Trains

Dear Diary, 
New story time! Today we are starting our recap of West to a Land of Plenty: The Diary of Theresa Angelino Viscardi. This story takes place in 1883 and follows Theresa and her family as they travel west to the Idaho Territory. The book was written by Jim Murphey (his first Dear America book) and published in 1998. 
The first half of this book mostly takes place on a train, but to avoid our recap being too "railroaded" (SEE WHAT WE DID THERE), we go on lots of tangents talking about the side characters in Theresa's life. There are the friends she left back home, her nosy sister, Netta, and a handsome young man who likes to wave at Theresa from his train car (SWOON!). Full steam ahead!
Yours truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

Historical Note: Ranger Sam Mischke from the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Dear Diary, 
We made another new friend! Added to our collection of National Parks Service Ranger guests is Ranger Sam Mischke from the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort, South Carolina. 
Sam told us the fascinating history of Beaufort's role as a hub for the Union Army and freed African Americans beginning in 1861. We talk about different ideas about how best to bring the country back together after the war and what people groups those plans benefitted most. Ranger Sam also tells us about the community of Beaufort and what it is like being a ranger in the area she grew up in. Tune in for a great conversation! 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen 
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl Part 2: Promises Promises

Dear Diary, 
Today we accomplished a true feat by charging through the rest of Patsy's story! Join us as we power through to find out what happens to Patsy and the rest of the freed folk of Davis plantation. 
Will they ever get a teacher? Will Patsy choose her new name? 
Yours Truly, 
Cate and Jen
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit

The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl part 1: Reconstruction Deserves More Attention

Dear Diary, 
This week we are cracking open a new book! I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl was written by Joyce Hansen and published in 1997. It was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award in 1998, which recognizes "outstanding books for young adults and children by African Americans that reflect the African American experience."
In this book, we meet Patsy, a 12-year-old girl who uses others' tendency to underestimate her to her advantage. Now that the Civil War has ended, Patsy wonders what freedom means when she still lives and works on a plantation in South Carolina. Does she still have to hide the fact that she can read? Will she and her fellow freed folk get what has been promised? 
Join us as we delve into the history of Reconstruction and discuss this remarkable book. 
Yours Truly,
Cate and Jen 
 
RibbonBookClubPod.com
@RibbonBookPod on Facebook and Instagram
 
Edited by Danny Heck  
Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage 
Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub
Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit