Grandfather's Journey Book Review

 1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Say, A. (1993). GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY.  Houghton Mifflin.  ISBN: 978-0-395-57035-7

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This picture book tells the story of a grandfather’s immigration to America and his journey across the United States. He finds himself back in Japan but longs to visit California again. 


 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In Grandfather’s Journey, the story is based on the author’s grandfather’s journey to America from Japan, while showing how broad the differences are between the two countries. The characters are shown in traditional Japanese clothing and also time-period appropriate American clothing. 

The setting begins in Japan, then across to America, and then back to Japan. Landmarks of America include tall buildings, a riverboat, mountains, and farm fields. When the family returns back to Japan, the landscape of mountains and villages is shown. 

There are numerous references to the Asian Pacific culture in Grandfather’s Journey. Beginning with the characters’ hair color and skin tone, they depict Japanese people appropriately. Their traditional and American clothing also reflect their diversity. The strong sense of family bonds is also evident throughout the book. Asian Pacific culture is represented by the traditional clothing of Japan in the early 1900s through the 1950s. The villages and homes are also traditional in Japan.  Also, the history of World War II is spoken about through the bombing and relocation of his grandparents. Immigration is a main theme and one with which many readers can relate to. The grandfather is born in Japan, seeks new opportunities in America, returns home to marry, then back to America for many years. He longs for his homeland and lives out the rest of his days there. His grandson narrating the story is born in Japan, then moves to America. They both reflect on how they are homesick for the country where they are not. 

The illustrations in this book showcase the Asian Pacific culture in a meaningful way. The Japanese countryside shows rice fields, mountains, and traditional homes. America is portrayed with skylines, trains, and riverboats. The traditional kimonos and sandals worn in Japan reflect the common style and colors. 



4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

  • Book Links, 04/01/03

  • Booklist, 06/01/97

  • Caldecott Medal, 1994

  • Christian Library Journal, 12/15/04

  • Elementary School Library Collection, 06/01/00

  • Horn Book Magazine, 04/01/14

  • L.A. Recommended Foreign Language, 02/01/99

  • Publishers Weekly

  • School Library Journal, 07/01/97

  • School Library Journal starred, 09/01/98

  • School Library Journal starred, 04/01/09 *

  • Wilson's Children, 10/01/10

Full-Text Reviews
Horn Book Guide starred (Spring 2014)

As a young man, Say's grandfather travels throughout America, eventually returning to Japan. Say, who lived in California when he wrote this book, finds "the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other. I think know my grandfather now." The immigrant experience has rarely been so poignantly evoked as it is in this narrative, accompanied by soft-toned watercolors. This edition includes a one-page introduction by the author.



  • 5. CONNECTIONS

Related Books:

Say, A.. (1999). TEA WITH MILK.  Sandpiper. ISBN: 978-0-547-23747-3

Yum, H. (2021). GRANDPA ACROSS THE OCEAN. Abrams Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-1-41974-225-5


Activities:

Author study of Allen Say’s books

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