I love Karen Hesse and think she's one of the best writers of historical fiction working today.
Like all Hesse books, there's one big thing to pin a many layered story on--and in this, it's the creation of the teddy bear in 1903. But it's really about the neighborhood and immigrants and making your way in the United States.
Things that I loved:
Benny's love for the First Teddy Bear. And just seeing how quickly everyone fell in love with them.
The aunts. Especially The Queen.
Emily's library in a store window
The baseball game.

Highly recommended.