Grandfather's Journey

Book: Say, A. (1993). Grandfather's journey. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Summary:           This is a delightful story about a young Japanese man’s overseas journey and how he fell in love with America, but never forgot his homeland. His love of both countries kept him traveling back and forth until WWII. The man’s grandson left Japan for a new life in America.

Impression:            The illustrations are gorgeous and clearly depict the people in the story. The affection that the grandfather has for his grandson is really touching. The author/illustrator pays attention to detail in clothing, architecture and landscapes. A sense of wonder in Japanese and American culture is conveyed through the beautiful colors and landscapes showing.             I think this is an excellent story to show kids that they can appreciate more than one culture and country. The author acknowledges WWII and the destruction. He admits to playing soldier as a child, but avoids any reference to the Japanese buildup of the war. Instead he focuses on the emotional sadness of the destruction after the war. This is his story to tell, too. It’s seeing the war through an eyes of a Japanese child.

Library Use:            I would use this story for early elementary students. Before I read the story I would show a world map and ask students to identify Japan and the US. I would point out the distance between the countries and the ocean that separates them. After reading we could discuss what the grandfather liked about both countries and make a comparison chart. The kids might be surprised to see similarities. Where did the grandfather feel most at home? Then we would make an origami bird and talk about the Japanese hobby of origami.

Crossing Bok Chitto

Book: Tingle, T. (2006). Crossing bok chitto. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press.

Summary:           The Bok Chitto river separates the Choctaw Indians from the South, land of plantations and slaves. An unlikely friendship forms when a slave boy befriends a Choctaw girl, when she gets lost on the slave side. Disaster strikes when Little Mo’s mother has been sold to the slave traders. Little Mo and his family flee to the river and he gets the Choctaw ladies to help.

Impression:           This picture book makes the connection between Native Americans and the African-American slaves. Little Martha Tom and Little Mo become friends and learn about each other’s peoples. She teaches him how to cross the secret Choctaw rock bridge and he teaches her how to walk without being seen by the white plantation owners. The final scene of the women in white dresses lining the banks of the river is stunning. The story is touching and the reader wishes that it was true.           The artwork is beautiful and water color landscapes are muted with grays that give a somber atmosphere. Slave life on a plantation was somber and the illustrator has captured the mood. The faces of the characters are moving, because they stare right out at the reader.            The reference pages about the Choctaw Indians is a good resource. It provides the backdrop for the story and the importance of storytelling among the Choctaw people. This book can’t be used as historical fiction, because there is no way to confirm the accuracy of the story. The elements of slavery and Choctaw life is true and makes for a great story.

Library Use: I would read this story to older elementary students to represent Native American stories. It would read it as part of a series of exploring Native American stories for discussion. I would open with a discussion about the location of American tribes before the Civil War and after the war. Children will want to know, if the story is true. We can identify the elements of reality from the story, like the tribe’s homeland, the Underground Railroad and the harsh reality of slave auctions. Universal themes of friendship and bravery could be explored, too. Students could create pictograms of what does friendship mean.

Last Stop on Market Street

Book: De la Pena, M. (2015). Last stop on market stop. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Son.

Summary:             A boy and his grandmother take a trip across town every Sunday after church. The boy complains about this weekly trip until his grandmother shows him how to be grateful for his health and life and the value of making connections with people.

Impression:             Everyone can do a good deed, no matter how young or old, rich or poor. The grandmother shows her grandson how to be grateful for friendships, good health and family. She and her grandson are making a difference in the lives of people who have lost so much. The story is lighthearted but thought provoking story about community service. The grandmother shows the grandson how to make connections with people in his community. She teaches him that even small connections like greetings and smiles can touch other’s lives and enrich one’s own life. The ending is a surprise to heartwarming moment to readers. The grandmother is teaching by example and not just lecturing.               The illustrations are simple and bold, but show enough detail for readers to recognize a city scape, inside of a bus and emotions on faces. The characters are not simply stick figures, but show modern choices, like the man with the tattoos, lady texting on her phone and a teen with ear buds. The pictures show people of diverse backgrounds, including a blind man, a wheelchair bound man and a homeless person with his dog in a shopping cart. The main message that comes through from the pictures is that people are people first, beyond their labels.

Library use:              This is a great opening to talking about community service projects. Students could work in pairs and research a community service project that already exists or invent a new project based on their interests. I would use this approach with upper elementary or middle school students.