Reviews

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say

imaclogger23's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.0

mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition

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4.0

Not exactly an immigrant story and not exactly a children's book. This captures a Japanese experiences and loves between Japan and United States before WW 2. The art is photo-realistic in style and beautiful. And the book hints at a subtext of being in love with two places and cultures that were literally at war. But it doesn't really work as a children's book. And it's not deep and in depth enough for a young adult.

raingirlpdx's review against another edition

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5.0

My continued exploration of local author/illustrators. This is Say's best known book and winner of a Caldecott Award.

stacisantefort's review against another edition

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5.0

This book tells the story of a mans grandfather who came to America from Japan. He gets homesick for Japan and returns. When he returns back to Japan he longs to go back to visit California.

I gave this book 5/5 stars because I feel it is easily related to. I love hearing my grandparents talk about how our family came to America. Since America is so diverse and known as the "melting pot," a lot of us have families from other countries. It's interesting to hear coming to America stories.

In the classroom I would use this book for students to find out how their family came to America and how they were established here. They could journal about it or present to the class. This would require them to talk to their parents or grandparents and hear the story themselves.

650 Lexile, grade level O, interest level 3rd grade

teacher_sarah's review against another edition

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4.0

JAPAN!!

Having multiple homes and traveling

Culture

SO GOOD. My students loved how lifelike the pictures were and the word choice pushed them just out of their comfort zone. It was great.

sarahleffel95's review against another edition

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4.0

JAPAN!!

Having multiple homes and traveling

Culture

SO GOOD. My students loved how lifelike the pictures were and the word choice pushed them just out of their comfort zone. It was great.

beecheralyson's review against another edition

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5.0

Caldecott Winner 1994 - I loved everything about this one.

lyndseyreader's review against another edition

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5.0

I picked this up from the OTC library after hearing Lois Lowry tell the story of winning the Newberry award for The Giver the same year Allen Say won the Caldecott award for this book. Though a discussion at the awards ceremony, they found out that they went to the same school in Toyko.

The pictures in this book are just lovely and the bittersweet sentiment of belonging to more than one place is eloquently expressed. If you have picture-book-aged kiddos, check it out, or even if you are an adult like me who likes to occasionally read a beautifully illustrated book. :)

amanda_sauer's review against another edition

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4.0

It was a GREAT multicultural book to see that people are always missing their other home when they are in the other. Beautiful illustrations. Great for ELLs!

cahamsher's review against another edition

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4.0

Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: K-5

There are so many ways that an individual can connect with this story even if they haven't experienced moving to a new country. It also is a great story to build empathy for those who may feel like their hearts are in two different places. One of my favorite parts is that it is a multi-generational story that can start the conversation about family histories and things that our ancestors have experienced.