For more than 40 years, Pier 21 had the distinction of being the gateway to Canada - or to the world beyond. From the early days of immigration in the 20th century to the departure of Canadian soldiers for overseas during the Second World War, Canada's Ellis Island was a place that witnessed many a heartbreaking separation and joyous reunion. In Pier 21, distinguished author of non-fiction for children Linda Granfield tackles a powerful subject for many first, second and third-generation Canadians by remembering the pier. With the archival photographs dotted throughout this historical book, children will get a true sense of what it was like to arrive as a stranger to this country, how it felt to leave in a time of war, what refugees experienced at this portal and why the site is now of such historic importance.