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Grandfather’s Journey

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Lyrical, breathtaking, splendid—words used to describe Allen Say’s Grandfather’s Journey when it was first published. At once deeply personal yet expressing universally held emotions, this tale of one man’s love for two countries and his constant desire to be in both places captured readers’ attention and hearts.

Lyrical, breathtaking, splendid—words used to describe Allen Say’s Grandfather’s Journey when it was first published.

At once deeply personal yet expressing universally held emotions, this tale of one man’s love for two countries and his constant desire to be in both places captured readers’ attention and hearts.

Winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal, it remains as historically relevant and emotionally engaging as ever.

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"Grandfather's Journey"

By allen say (author and illustrator).

When he was a young man, Allen Say’s grandfather left his home in Japan to explore the world. He began his journey by crossing the Pacific Ocean on a steamship, then wandered the deserts, farmlands, and cities of North America. Allen Say lovingly tells the story of his own family’s cross-cultural history in elegant watercolor paintings that earned him a Caldecott Medal in 1994.

Read by Kendyl Yokoyama , who is in the Ensemble in the North American Tour of Hamilton

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Order Grandfather's Journey at the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s Book Shop.

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To see the full archive of Hamilton Cast Read Alongs, visit  gilderlehrman.org/readalong .

Nonfiction Monday: Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say

Around two weeks back, we had a guest blogger, the very hardworking, dedicated, and talented Erik the Great from This Kid Reviews Books. He also shared a review of Grandfather’s Journey in his post which is in keeping with our bimonthly theme. And because we are simply in love with Allen Say, I feature yet another review of this outstanding picture book biography. I read this book last year and didn’t have a chance to review it. I’m glad that I didn’t since it’s perfect for our current bimonthly theme on  Festival of Asian Literature and the Immigrant Experience.  Check out Shelf-employed for more Nonfiction Monday links.

The Restless Heart of a Wanderer.  The book opens to breathtaking portraits of Allen Say’s grandfather in a traditional Japanese clothing and in a suit (which was termed as “European clothes”). I know that my 10 year old daughter has used this picture book as part of their  Journeys  theme during the beginning of the school year, and while I have also read it last year, I still give an audible gasp each time I gaze at Say’s artwork. Somehow, the book never fails to give something new each time I open its pages.

Each page is filled with luminous paintings of places that Grandfather has been accompanied by sparse text that is one or two sentences long. While it is perfect for very young children, I envision that it would also be great for older kids who would wish to explore geography, develop a sense of space and time, while providing a means to understand one’s roots and cultural identity.

While the story is linear, starting with grandfather’s leaving his home in Japan as a young man to “see the world” and ending in old age with grandfather’s longing left in the air for the reader to touch and grasp – each portrait seems to be filled with untold narratives, inviting the reader to sit back and imagine the possible labyrinthine stories the picture brings. Here is an example:

This page has a caption which says: “After a time, he returned to his village in Japan to marry his childhood sweetheart. Then he brought his bride to the new country.”

Fleeting and brief, there is space for the reader to imagine what her thoughts must have been living in a country so different from hers to be with a man she loves.

Here is a portrait that provides a glimpse of what life must have been like as an immigrant for Grandfather:

He met many people along the way. He shook hands with black men and white men, with yellow men and red men.

One of the greatest gifts of being a traveler (for me) is this wondrous opportunity to expand your sensibilities by meeting people so different from you and celebrating that diversity by finding a place that connects you. While it sounds easy, I discover that few people have the courage to open their hearts to this experience: to find a common core that goes beyond skin color or the shade of one’s hair or peculiar accents. It’s that thread of humanity that collects, and gathers, and binds and makes you one. It’s a frightening yet exhilarating experience – and one that I have ‘gathered’ through this beautiful artwork that says so little yet also speaks volumes.

On Life’s Journeys and Finding Home.  This book would prove to be an invaluable companion to Allen Say’s own graphic novel/memoir  Drawing from Memory .  As  Grandfather’s Journey  explored life in Japan and California through Grandfather’s eyes, the ending of the book alluded to Allen’s own journey to the States. It would be great to tease out the points of intersection and convergences in the two books.

What moved me deeply, though about this book, was how Grandfather seemed to miss his home in Japan while in California – yet he misses his life and home in California while in Japan.

He remembered the mountains and rivers of his home. He surrounded himself with songbirds, but he could not forget.

There is a sadness and beauty to those lines which I am sure most immigrants, expatriates, overseas workers feel – a truth that may even be felt by those who have not left their birth countries. The search for something elusive outside of one’s self. The search for home.

Teacher Resources.  I was able to find quite a number of resources given that this is a Caldecott medalist and is widely used in the classroom. This  website   contains an author/illustrator study, classroom connections, web activity and links as compiled by quite a number of teachers.  Scholastic  has also created a  fairly comprehensive lesson plan  which includes story extensions and possible activities that can be done inside the classroom. My favorite though is this website by curriculumcompanion.org and houghton mifflin that includes downloadable powerpoint handouts, valuable web resources, and downloadable/printable graphic organizers that are simply amazing. Lastly, here is a downloadable pdf link created by  American Immigration Law Foundation, Immigration Curriculum Center Lesson Plan   which includes detailed reading notes, post-reading activities as well as recommended activities inside the classroom. Definitely worth checking out.

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1993. Book borrowed from the NIE Library. Book photos taken by me.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, ALA Notable Book, Booklist Editors’ Choice, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, Horn Book Fanfare Selection, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year

AWB Reading Challenge Update: 59 ( 35 )

Caldecott Challenge Update: 11 of 24

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2012: 19 ( 12 )

Picture Book Challenge Update: 62 of 120

PoC Reading Challenge Update: 20 of 25

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11 comments on “ Nonfiction Monday: Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say ”

Great review, Myra. Sometimes we focus so much on new books, that we don’t take the time to enjoy the beauty of old favorites. Thanks for participating in Nonfiction Monday.

Terrific to see again Myra. It’s a special book that sits on my shelf, & has been used every year in some context or another. I was glad when Allen Say came out with that additional autobiography which expands the information in another beautiful way. Thank you!

Thanks for this, Myra. I’ve just been given a new ‘big idea’ to booktalk by a local school (grades K-6) that will be the focus for the whole school’s teaching next year — which is perspective. Your review showed me that Grandfather’s Journey and the companion book, Milk with Tea will fit very nicely with this topic. Thanks again. Tammy Apples with Many Seeds

I have always loved this book, Myra, perhaps because I share this sense of being of two worlds (India and America) and belonging to neither. The illustrations here are just so lovely, too….especially that last one you shared, which speaks in symbols, and so powerfully, too!

Hi Myra! Thanks for yet another thoughtful review. I thought this was particularly poignant: “There is a sadness and beauty to those lines which I am sure most immigrants, expatriates, overseas workers feel – a truth that may even be felt by those who have not left their birth countries. The search for something elusive outside of one’s self. The search for home.”

Reminded me of the review of this book by Sheela in Saffron Tree and these words in that review ( http://www.saffrontree.org/2011/05/grandfathers-journey.html )

“The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other. Home is where the heart is. And for some of us, the heart refuses to be contained within one arbitrary man-made geographical unit of land.”

What a great book for kids about the immigrant journey! Thanks for linking up to the Immigrant Stories Challenge

I read this recently and I couldn’t figure out why it was being marketed as a children’s book instead of an adult graphic novel (sort of). I guess because of the format. But I felt adults would “get” this even more than kids!

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International collection of children’s and adolescent literature, grandfather’s journey.

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Grandfather's Journey teaches Connecting Generations

Additional value:.

Book Summary:

Topic(s) addressed:, enduring understandings:.

• L’dor v’do r means knowing the history of our people and learning from the history of our own families and communities. 
• Our “home” can be defined in many ways, meaning different things to different people, and sometimes a person might have more than one. It might refer to the place in which the family lives, the country where they live, the synagogue in which they worship, etc.

Essential Questions:

• What causes people to leave their countries and their homes? 
• What makes a place a home? 
• What does it mean to go on a journey?

Be Inspired: The ideas included are offered as starting points as you and your students explore, discover and live the lessons. Be sure to elicit and encourage student and parent participation, consistently reinforcing the value being addressed. Allow lessons to authentically develop and change based on engagement and interests.

Lesson plan components, for the educator jewish thought, text, and traditions more.

The value of l’dor v’dor – from generation to generation –connects our history with that of the past and the future. Judaism places great importance on the transference of memory so that it may always be for a blessing. When we remember that which came before us, and embrace the knowledge gained from those who came before us, all of our stories become as one. L’dor v’dor means for us to recall the struggles of our ancestors; to remember Egypt, to remember the fall of the Second Temple, to remember the expulsion from Spain, and even remember the Holocaust. Jewish identity is founded in this history and links us to those who are also in covenant with G-d and those who share this history. L’dor v’dor not only means knowing the history of our people and learning from that history, but also learning about and learning from the history of our own families and communities. It is our family that provides the foundations for the lessons we learn. However, it is the responsibility of the entire community to bring up the next generation. We connect with our Judaism from the actions of others – our parents, our teachers, from all members of the community. We take this knowledge and wisdom accumulated over the centuries and apply it to our lives today. L’dor V’dor is not just about embracing the past, but uplifting the past’s relevance in our own time and place.

• What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want to pass on to those whom you love? 
• As a teacher, what is one thing you want to pass on to your students? 
• In what ways can we encourage students and families to explore the legacy of the generations that came before them: the ways they faced challenges, connections they still have to countries left behind, and how their lives enriched the live of each generation that came after? 
• How can the value of L’dor v’dor be incorporated within the classroom?

Jewish every day Incorporate Jewish Values more

Materials and resources more.

Copy Of Grandfather’s Journey

Read Aloud of Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEfhJstC43Y Neil Diamond singing “America”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inLrQS5q2E8

Sharing The Story more

• What do you think this song is about? 
• What brought people to America? 
• Do you recognize the last few lines of the song? They are from “My Country ’tis of Thee.”
• Ask students to explain what the term “journey” means. Ask,“Have you ever traveled to a distant city or country?” Have them share a journey they have taken. Locate these cities or countries on a map. 
• What do students believe the book might be about? 
• Encourage students to look at the person in the illustration and his clothing. Who might he be? Where was the picture taken? Where is he going? 
• Explain the terms “immigrant” and “immigration” and the fact that Grandfather’s Journey is about the author’s grandfather who “immigrated” to America from Japan. 
• On a map, point out where Japan is located as well as San Francisco, where Grandfather ultimately lived. Have them suggest what routes Grandfather may have taken from Japan to America’s West Coast traveling by ship. 
• Grandfather explored North America and visited many different areas. Can students identify where he might have been when he saw the “rocks like enormous sculptures,” the “endless farm fields,” “huge cities of factories and tall buildings,” or the “towering mountains and rivers”? 
• Why did Grandfather leave America and return to the place of his birth (Japan) 
• If you were to leave your home, what things about your city,state, or country would you miss most?
• As appropriate, an extension of this discussion might be discovering a way that appreciation for a person, place or thing that would be missed could be expressed.
• Allen Say, the author of the book, decided to live in America, yet he returns to visit Japan when he can. At the end of the book he wrote, “The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.” 
• What do you think “homesick” means? Why might a person become “homesick”?
• Ask students to think of the places in their life that feel like home. 
• What attributes of a place are necessary to make them feel that way?
• Do they have multiple places that feel like home (be sure to be sensitive and supportive to the needs of children who might have atypical home living situations)
• How can being with your family make a place feel like home?

Procedure more

Explore, discover, and more extension and reinforcement activities more.

G-d Bless America The Jews who immigrated to America became strong supporters of their new homeland and the freedoms it allowed. Some of the most popular American songs were written by Jewish immigrants. “G-d Bless America,” for example, was written by Irving Berlin, who was born in 1888 in Eastern Russia. His father, a cantor, brought the family to America and settled in New York City in 1893. With the help of your school’s music teacher or a video like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhyIUDgIwz4 , teach students Berlin’s song-his prayer for America. G-d Bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her Through the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam G-d bless America, My home sweet home. Patriotic Collage: Using magazines such as National Geographic, have students cut out pictures of places in the United States that include the types of geographic features that Grandfather saw. Have them create collages that reflect “America the Beautiful.” Use the internet to locate these geographical areas in United States. An American Tail Have students watch An American Tail. Originally released in 1986, this animated film produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is the story of Fievel, a young Russian mouse whose family decided to move to America, a land “without cats.” During the voyage, Fievel is swept out to sea but fortunately survives and washes up in New York Harbor. Alone in a new country, Fieval sets off on a journey to find his family. Along the way, he must deal with many challenges, including the loneliness of being away from home. As you and your students watch this film, discuss how the film reflects some of the reasons for immigration and problems immigrants face. This film is rated “G.”

Music Connections more

Many Jewish families have a connection to Israel, either through experience living there, family or friends who live there, or by virtue of the fact that it is a Jewish country. The national Anthem, “Hatikvah,“ has been performed in many different ways with different cultural influences. Play the Israeli National Anthem “Hatikvah.” Explore different versions of the song, each influenced by different cultural elements: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZ59vn6nOc3ujguZPyVX2vwflU5pmJY- Talk about the importance of Israel, the Jewish Homeland, to the Jewish people in Israel, America, and throughout the world.

Evidence of Learning more

Students are able to describe their personal family history regarding the countries where previous generations have lived.

HOME AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS more

• When did you immigrate to America?
• What made you/your family decide to come to America?
• What did you bring with you?
• What were some of the first things you saw?
• What was the most difficult thing for you when you first came to America?
• What do you miss about your homeland?
• What do you appreciate most about this country?

literature connections more

Resources related to this page:.

• 1:  L'Dor Vador by Josh Nelson
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• 3:  Family Tree by Joanie Leeds
• 4:  Generation to Generation- L'dor Vador by Susan- Shane-Linder
• 5:  Family Tree by Craig Taubman
• 6:  Children of Freedom by Beth Schafer
• 1:  Grandfather's Journey
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• 1:  Remember!

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• 2: Jeff Klepper's Rabbi Ben Bag Bag
• 3: It Could Be Amazing by Jay Rapoport
• 4: We Are All Connected by Jay Rapoport
• 5: Build A New Day by Steve Dropkin
• 6: Yom Ha'atzmaut by Judy Caplan Ginsburgh
• 7: Hatikvah (Israel's National Anthem)
• 8: Am Yisrael Chai (Folk)
• 9: A New Light by Eliana Light
• 10: Piece of the Puzzle by Craig Taubman
• 11: Four Corners by Craig Taubman
• 12: Hineni by Sam Glaser
• 13: Yisrael by Sam Glaser
• 14: We Remember by Robbi Sherwin with Sababa
• 15: L'chadaysh Et Ha'yashan (Renew The Old) by Jay Rapoport
• 16: We Remember Them by Beth Schafer
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• 3: Yom HaShoah/Yom HaZikaron

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• 6: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
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• 8: Honor Humanity
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• 3: Wilfrid Gordon Mcdonald Partridge Read Aloud
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`GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY' TELLS OF PURSUING THE AMERICAN DREAM

By deseret news , marilou sorensen.

The American Dream. It's been a cliche to immigrants for 200 years. On both East and West coasts and across the borders from north and south, people have sought the American Dream.

Allen Say's "Grandfather's Journey" is an American dream: three generations seeking that "other land," the promise of a home and contentment. "My grandfather was a young man when he left his home in Japan and went to see the world." In too-large clothes and proper bowler hat, he found his three-week journey across the Pacific Ocean astonishing. He traveled through North America and was amazed by the deserts, bewildered by the factories and marveled at the mountain peaks and rivers. He liked California best and thought little of returning to his island homeland.In time though, he did sail to Japan, married his childhood sweetheart and brought her to America.

With a wife and baby girl, he lived in America until his daughter was nearly grown. Only then did he go back to his homeland. The daughter married and "sometime later I was born." The boy's grandfather often talked of California and planned to cross the ocean again. But war began. "Bombs fell from the sky and scattered our lives like leaves in a storm."

The boy's grandfather died before he saw California again, but his dream lived with the child. As a young man he came to the United States, married and had a daughter of his own. He, like his grandfather, sailed back to Japan on occasion, but "the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other."

In rhythmic loops, the three generations of Japanese men find their American dream but realize there is also a dream on their island homeland.

The art in "Grandfather's Journey" is a striking series of drawings, not unlike a family photo album; formally posed and distanced by the intrusion of a camera. The balanced, well-framed paintings reflect Say's experiences as a professional photographer. "I am fascinated by old photographs because people were really innocent of their own images."

To this artist, lighting is most vital as evidenced in the 28 paintings. Sunlight reflects from tree to water and causes the Sierra Mountains and sea coast to glisten with sharp contrast. As the young grandfather stands waist-deep in a field, the light shimmers from grain to face in a harmony of color.

The paintings, which took two years to complete, really tell the story and were even completed before the text. "I do them in sequence . . . I start out with a very nebulous idea . . . then start painting and when the scenes and the characters become real to me, then somehow words - well happen."

As for the words - sometimes as few as eight on a page - Say calls himself a minimalist: "I want the pictures to tell the story."

"Grandfather's Journey" is Say's story. It is how he came to terms with his "adopted country." "I am exploring the ambivalence and ambiguities and the revelations of being a cultural hybrid."

Say's mother was born in Oakland and was taken to Japan because his grandmother didn't think the United States was a proper place for a Japanese young lady. Reflected in "Grandfather's Journey" is the straight awkward girl in Japan dressed in American garb. "My mother was dragged back to a culture that she neither understood nor desired. She was totally bewildered."

In an interview with "Booklist," Say told of his mother's escape by eloping with his father. Both were disowned by their families. "Now I have a beautiful 12-year-old daughter, and I'm ashamed to take her to Japan because it's such a male-chauvinist country."

The final lines of the book are "I think I know my grandfather now" and are a tribute to a grandfather (a privileged Japanese man from an ancient samurai family) whom he adored. There is no irony in the fact that the grandfather with striking silver-gray hair and rimmed spectacles resembles the artist himself.

Is America Say's dream and homeland? "I consider myself a uniquely American artist and author. Because I certainly would not have done this kind of work had I stayed in Japan or had I been born here."

Allen Say relates most closely to what he calls his "f.o.b. picture" (fresh-off-the-boat). "I feel I can live anywhere . . . I will always be rootless. My home is my work."

Other books written and illustrated by Allen Say:

"The Feast of the Lanterns" (1976), "The Bicycle Man" (1982), "The Lost Lake" (1980), "A River Dream" (1988), "Tree of Cranes" (1991), "El Chino" (1992).

Books illustrated by Allen Say:

"The Boy of the Three-Year Nap" by Diane Snyder (1988), "How My Parents Learned to Eat" by Ina Friedman (1984).

Young Adult novel by Allen Say:

"The Innkeeper's Apprentice" (1979).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Authors honored

LOS ANGELES - Allen Say's "Grandfather's Journey" (reviewed by Marilou Sorensen on this page) won the 1994 Randolph Caldecott Medal for "most distinguished picture book for children" published during the past year.

The John Newbery Medal for "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published during 1993," went to Lois Lowry for "The Giver."

Both awards were announced Monday. Watch for a complete list next week.

We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us!

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Grandfather's Journey: A Caldecott Award Winner Kindle Edition

In this Caldecott Medal – winning picture book, master storyteller Allen Say chronicles his family’s history between Japan and California. A lyrical, breathtaking tale of one man’s love for two countries, Grandfather’s Journey is perfect for fans of Last Stop on Market Street and Thank You, Omu!

Through pensive portraits and delicately faded art, Allen Say pays tribute to his grandfather’s persistent longing for home that continues within Allen.

This restlessness and constant desire to be in two places speaks to a universal experience as well as the deeply personal ties of family to place, and what it means to be at home in more than one country.

Both a celebration of heritage and a poignant exploration of the struggles we inherit, Grandfather’s Journey is a modern classic perfect for every household.

• Print length 32 pages
• Language English
• Grade level Preschool - 3
• Lexile measure AD650L
• Publisher Clarion Books
• Publication date November 5, 2013
• Page Flip Not Enabled
• Word Wise Not Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Not Enabled
• Sticky notes Not Enabled
• ISBN-13 978-0547076805
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From publishers weekly, amazon.com review, from school library journal, from kirkus reviews, about the author.

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book -- published in 1972 -- in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B0SB87U
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books; Reprint edition (November 5, 2013)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 5, 2013
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 4622 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
• #12 in Children's Father's Day eBooks
• #96 in Children's Explore Asia Fiction
• #444 in Children's Multigenerational Families

About the author

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book -- published in 1972 -- in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon.

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Classroom in the Middle

Language arts activities for middle school and upper elementary..

Introducing an Immigration-Themed Reading Unit with Grandfather’s Journey

As I’ve mentioned before, using a great picture book is one of my favorite activities for introducing a new reading unit.  Short and sweet, with lots of engaging pictures, it’s a sure way to get kids interested in the theme and a quick way to introduce a reading skill or two that you plan to incorporate into the unit.

For a reading unit with a theme of immigration, I’ve chosen the picture book Grandfather’s Journey  by Allen Say.  It’s the story of a young man who comes to love both his new country and his home country and to appreciate the experiences of his grandfather who made a similar journey years before.

Through a tale about the lifetime journey of his grandfather, the narrator, and the readers, learn an appreciation for many things in each country – Japan and the United States, and we see how the immigrant experience is really a lifetime experience, or even longer as in this four-generation story that begins with the narrator’s grandfather and ends after the narrator has a daughter of his own.

This tale of two cultures focuses on beautiful things and positive ideas about both Japan and the United States that students can expand on with research or more stories as the reading unit progresses.  For example, the grandfather spent a long time exploring parts of North America where he was impressed by the great variety of landscapes that he saw – deserts, fields of wheat, mountains, and industrial cities.  Students could follow-up with a mini-research project to find images, facts, and descriptive language about these different regions of the country.

Later in his life, on a return visit to Japan, grandfather enjoyed visiting the countryside and the small village that he remembered, but his daughter, a modern young woman, felt more at home in a big Japanese city.  American students might have an image of Japan that is mainly one or the other, all simple and rural or all crowded cities.  It might be interesting for them to learn more about the setting that they are less familiar with.

Grandfather’s Journey is also a good book for introducing the story element of setting: it is set in two very different locations, takes place in an interesting period in history that many students will be studying in history class, and has a duration of four generations, long enough for talking about the changes that might have happened over the years but short enough for kids to make sense of.

Interesting discussion questions might include:

• How would you compare the narrator to his grandfather?  What are some similarities?  Differences?
• How would you compare Grandfather’s journey to the journey of immigrants that you know or have heard of recently?
• Why might people from one culture at first mistrust people from another culture that they know very little about?
• How could learning about something as simple as the everyday life of someone in a village or a city in another part of the world contribute to better understanding between cultures?
• What else have you read with a theme of immigration?
• What other country would you most like to visit?  What part of the United States?

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