Lost in the Empire City

Newbery Medalist Avi is back with a gripping exploration of the immigrant experience at the turn of the twentieth century. A must-read for fans of Moon over Manifest and Echo Mountain.

When Santo's father left their tiny town in Italy for America, he made Santo promise to keep their family together until he has enough money to bring the rest of them to the US.

It takes a few years, but Mama finally gets word that their family can join Papa. Santo couldn't be more excited to go to America--and to see his father again. However, Santo gets separated from his mother and siblings at Ellis Island, and he is left to fend for himself on the mean streets of Manhattan. Santo doesn't speak English, he doesn't know anyone, and he has nowhere to go. He has no money and no help.

While searching desperately for a clue as to where his family has gone, Santo gets caught up with a gang of boys who steal to stay alive. But when an unexpected betrayal leaves Santo scrambling, it will take all the street smarts he's gained to find a way back to his family.

He's lost everything he promised to protect. Can one boy survive the Empire City alone?

• A Heartbreaking Separation: One wrong turn at Ellis Island leaves Santo utterly alone, torn from his mother and siblings with no way to find them.
• Historical New York City: A vivid portrayal of turn-of-the-century Manhattan, from the overwhelming docks to the dangerous alleys where a boy must learn the rules fast.
• A Found Family of Thieves: To keep from starving, Santo joins the Downtown Dukes, a street gang of boys who teach him how to steal--and how to live.
• A Coming of Age Story: Faced with impossible choices, Santo must decide who to trust and what he's willing to do to honor the promise he made to his father.