There really is not much to dislike about any book that Allen Say has had anything to do with. Let's face it, he has been and is one of the best in the business. Likewise, there is very little, if anything, to dislike about the work being reviewed here, Grandfather's Journey.
And, in fact, the only trepidation (slight) I had concerning this work was that I noted it was a Caldecott award winner. This is not to say that this is a bad award, heavens no, but I have noted that over the past several years the committee which select the winners seem to have gone into a very "artsy" mode and quite often their selections actually appeal more to the adult reader than to actual kids. I am proud to say though that this is not the case here!
This is the story of the author's grandfather, a young Japanese lad who left his home and went out to see the world. He journeyed to the New World; to America. He actually traveled to quite a number of places in this country before he finally settled in California. After travel by train, riverboat, on foot, and by wagon, he was weary and this new place; the Sierra Mountains, Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay was perfect. It became more perfect when he met a wonderful girl, fell in love and started a family.
But was all perfect?
I think not! " Home is where the heart is" is a powerful and truthful statement and if the heart is divided equally...hmmmm, this is indeed a perplexing problem!
We have a story here of a young man, a middle aged man and an old man, who is torn between two cultures; to homes, both of which he loves. As Grandfather grew older his longing for his original native land became stronger and he finally took his wife and now grown daughter back to Japan for a visit. As fate would have it, the man and his family were caught up in the tides and horrors of war between the two countries he loves.
To go on would ruin the story but I must say that this is one of the most tender and lovingly written works that I have come across for quite some time now. The art work is something to behold. I was unable to find one picture in the work that did not touch me in some way.
Talking Points:::
While this is a wonderful work for children, I would certainly and strongly suggest that adult readers would glean much from its reading. In these days when America is becoming more and more populated with immigrant peoples from around the world, this little work may quite well help in understanding their emotions and to be truthful, their confusion at times.
Well written with simple but beautiful prose, great art work and an extremely touching story. This one is a winner all the way.
And, in fact, the only trepidation (slight) I had concerning this work was that I noted it was a Caldecott award winner. This is not to say that this is a bad award, heavens no, but I have noted that over the past several years the committee which select the winners seem to have gone into a very "artsy" mode and quite often their selections actually appeal more to the adult reader than to actual kids. I am proud to say though that this is not the case here!
This is the story of the author's grandfather, a young Japanese lad who left his home and went out to see the world. He journeyed to the New World; to America. He actually traveled to quite a number of places in this country before he finally settled in California. After travel by train, riverboat, on foot, and by wagon, he was weary and this new place; the Sierra Mountains, Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay was perfect. It became more perfect when he met a wonderful girl, fell in love and started a family.
But was all perfect?
I think not! " Home is where the heart is" is a powerful and truthful statement and if the heart is divided equally...hmmmm, this is indeed a perplexing problem!
We have a story here of a young man, a middle aged man and an old man, who is torn between two cultures; to homes, both of which he loves. As Grandfather grew older his longing for his original native land became stronger and he finally took his wife and now grown daughter back to Japan for a visit. As fate would have it, the man and his family were caught up in the tides and horrors of war between the two countries he loves.
To go on would ruin the story but I must say that this is one of the most tender and lovingly written works that I have come across for quite some time now. The art work is something to behold. I was unable to find one picture in the work that did not touch me in some way.
Talking Points:::
While this is a wonderful work for children, I would certainly and strongly suggest that adult readers would glean much from its reading. In these days when America is becoming more and more populated with immigrant peoples from around the world, this little work may quite well help in understanding their emotions and to be truthful, their confusion at times.
Well written with simple but beautiful prose, great art work and an extremely touching story. This one is a winner all the way.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Grandfather's Journey
Word Count: 568
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 3.6 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 7570
Word Count: 568
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 3.6 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 7570
- Publisher: Sandpiper
- ISBN-10: 0547076800
- sample pages available
Related Posts:::
See Kara's excellent review @ Not Just For Kids
3 comments :
I like that you have revisited a classic with this one! "Grandfather's Journey" is probably the best book I've ever read about the immigrant experience. It certainly encapsulated my own experiences. http://notjustforkids.blogspot.com/2007/08/coming-and-going-grandfathers-journey.html
Wow, that's high praise indeed, Kara. I've added a link to the review on your site. It's great to be able to have a mini blog tour for some of these great older books.
Don, I love this particular book by Say, it's always at the top of my list for recs when kids need books for immigration experience. Will admit however that some of Say's books are not as easy to find an audience for.
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