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beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
I completely understand Allen Say and his grandfather's feeling of having your heart in two countries and feeling a sense of longing for the other country whenever you're not there.
allmadhere106's review against another edition
4.0
The author tells us the story of their grandfather and how much he loved both Japan and San Francisco. I found the book calming and kind, giving a sweet homage to a loved one. I think some other readers may feel the book isn't flashy or compelling enough, but that isn't the point of the book and I really liked it.
For: readers looking for a book based in history/a biography.
Possible red flags: references to war, bombings, and discrimination.
For: readers looking for a book based in history/a biography.
Possible red flags: references to war, bombings, and discrimination.
simplymary's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful, beautiful book. The illustrations are worthy of the Caldecott Medal it received, and the story brings tears to my eyes every time. I had to buy this one for my collection.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me cry. The illustrations are beautiful and the text tells the story of a man's family and how they came to love two countries. It's interesting that the boy grows up with the Grandfather's dreams becoming his own.
swinchester234's review against another edition
3.0
Grandfather’s Journey was written by Allen Say, a Japanese American. Say won a Caldecott Award for his illustrations for the book in 1994. This book tells the story about Say’s grandfather who journeyed back and forth between his homeland, Japan, and a land that he came to love, California. This book is interesting because whenever he is in one of the two places, he misses the other. This is relatable to children because if they ever have to move they learn to like the place they have moved to, but still seem to miss the other.
This book has amazing pictures that depict a grand adventure between the two lands. One interesting detail that Say was able to portray through the pictures was the progressing loneliness that his grandfather began to feel by the end of the book. The pictures become more solemn as his grandfather’s journey through life begins to reach its end. The book ends on a sad note, saying that his grandfather wished to see California one more time, but at this time Americans had gone to war with Japan, and he could not.
This book has amazing pictures that depict a grand adventure between the two lands. One interesting detail that Say was able to portray through the pictures was the progressing loneliness that his grandfather began to feel by the end of the book. The pictures become more solemn as his grandfather’s journey through life begins to reach its end. The book ends on a sad note, saying that his grandfather wished to see California one more time, but at this time Americans had gone to war with Japan, and he could not.
alisarae's review against another edition
What is it like to live in two countries? To always be homesick.
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely illustrations, but the story was just meh.
a_manning11's review against another edition
4.0
This book grasps the experience and feelings of a migrant, or traveller (however people think of themselves). Irrespective of how many years or decades go by - people can love their new home, but never forget or stop loving the place they came from.
This story is interesting and moving, and gives the reader more insight than the story alone could.
The final few illustrations were my favorite.
Caldecott Medal Winner 1994.
This story is interesting and moving, and gives the reader more insight than the story alone could.
The final few illustrations were my favorite.
Caldecott Medal Winner 1994.