Rivka's presents
(Book)

In 1918, Rivka lives with Mama, Papa, and Miriam, her little sister, in a New York City neighborhood populated by immigrants. Rivka is hoping to start school, but with her father quite ill, and her mother working in a shirtwaist factory to support the family, Rivka must take care of Miriam. Still determined to learn, she asks Mr. Solomon, the grocer, to teach her reading in exchange for sweeping. Later, Mr. Cohen, the tailor, teaches her addition in exchange for making deliveries, and Mrs. Langholtz, a neighbor, teaches her about America in exchange for helping the woman prepare for her citizenship test. When Papa recovers, Rivka thanks her three teachers and prepares to start school at last.