Jamestown's American portraits

In 1889, after he and his family emigrate from Italy to New York City, fourteen-year-old Tony tries to adjust to becoming an American, while avoiding an Irish gang and befriending photographer and social reformer Jacob Riis.

From 1865 to 1869, freed slaves Ezra--ten years old at the end of the Civil War--and his father deal with their newfound liberty, traveling from their former master's North Carolina plantation to finally settle in a community of free blacks in Charleston, South Carolina, where they gain education and professions.

In 1895 in New York City, Gina, a fourteen-year-old Italian immigrant, forced by her family to drop out of school and work long hours in a garment factory, tries to break free of the control her parents have over her finances and social life.

After moving from Alabama to Texas in 1836, Jeff Byrd turns fourteen years old while fighting for Texas independence from Mexico and trying to sort out his friends from his enemies after a Hispanic family saves his life when the Mexican Army slaughters its prisoners during the Goliad Massacre.

The friendship and loyalties of two twelve-year-old indentured servants--one English and one Native American--are tested when the English settlers of Jamestown, Virginia, plan a raid on a Powhatan Indian village.

In the early 1930s in Chicago, twelve-year-old Petey's family faces poverty and internal strife after his father loses his job, while, at the same time, his wealthy, older cousin takes on the dangerous work of a union organizer.

In 1923, fourteen-year-old Alicia Martinez is cast in an important silent movie role by her best friend's father, but near-disasters on the Hollywood set seem to be directed at her, and almost anyone could be responsible.

In 1963, thirteen-year-old Clayton Banks would be happy if life were simply about playing baseball, but the Civil Rights Movement is changing the world around him, including his family, whether he likes it or not.