Grandfather's Journey by: Allen Say

Book Genre: Realistic Fiction

Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin Company (32 pages)

Awards or Honors: Caldecott Medal Book

Summary: This is a touching story written through a grandson's eyes about his grandfather. It begins with the grandfather (a young man) leaving Japan for America. The grandfather travels across the Pacific Ocean for 3 weeks and explores North America by train, riverboat, and walking. Eventually he makes it to California and decides that that is his favorite place of all. However, he soon becomes homesick for Japan and decides to return for a visit. Once back in Japan he marries his childhood sweetheart and they return to America. They make a home in San Francisco Bay and have a daughter. But once again, he becomes homesick for Japan. So, they return with the daughter. The daughter falls in love, marries, and has Allen Say. As Mr. Say grows up he frequently visits his grandfather and hears wonderful tales of America. The grandfather misses America so much that he plans once more to go. However, the war (WWII)begins and he cannot make the journey. Finally, as Allen Say becomes a young man he decides to make that journey for himself and see America. Just as his grandfather did, Mr. Say is in one land only to long to be in the other. At last, he truly understands his grandfather. Along with the wonderful story, there are beautiful watercolors through out the story of all the places that the grandfather visits.

Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I really like this book. It brings a new light to what our children are so used to seeing everyday, the norm. The story lets them view things, scenes, and lives through another person's perspective. There is also the additive of being introduced/revisiting a different culture and time from their own. In addition, there are a lot of beautiful watercolors through out the story. They really help give a very vivid visualization.

Reading Level: K-3 (4.2 AR)

Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years

Possible Uses: This book could be used in across the curriculum in many ways.

Social Studies: You could use this book as an introduction to the study of World War II.
SS Additional: Plus, you could use this book to create a timeline for Allen Say's grandfather. The events could be taken and placed on a Flow Map. Then you could have the students create time lines of their own lives.

Technology: As an extended computer lesson you could have the children research their heritage and create family trees.

History/Writing: Once the students have researched their families origin, have them research the country. How is it similar to America? Are there any major differences? Would you like to visit, why? You could also have them make a journal of what they think their ancestors went through (good times, visits, hardships, etc.). And why do they think they chose to come to America.

Art: On the title page of the book there is an origami boat. You could introduce the students to the art of origami and then have them create their own items with origami.
Art Additional: The entire book is illustrated with awesome watercolors. You could branch off using this idea and let the children experiment with the medium of watercolors. Introduce techniques used by artists to create depth and light....

Science: This could also lead to a science lesson....many artists make their own paints, canvases and papers. You could show how fruits could be used to get colors for painting (blueberries make an awesome dark blue/purple hue). Plus, there could be a lesson in paper making (toilet tissue, water, and a window screen) works best in a time constraint situation.

Potential Problems: None at this time.