Journey is eleven the summer his mother leaves him and his sister, Cat, with their grandparents. He is sad and angry, and spends the summer looking...
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reviews
Nov 12, 2009
Josiah
rated it: 
"What is perfect? Journey, a thing doesn't have to be perfect to be fine. That goes for a picture. That goes for life....Things can be good enough."
—Grandfather, Journey, P. 29
I am amazed by this book. Journey is truly a creation of rare and very special beauty which shines through from the heart and mind of one of the greatest writers of our time, Patricia MacLachlan.
The odyssey of Journey, an eleven-year-old boy, flows forth in these pages l More...
—Grandfather, Journey, P. 29
I am amazed by this book. Journey is truly a creation of rare and very special beauty which shines through from the heart and mind of one of the greatest writers of our time, Patricia MacLachlan.
The odyssey of Journey, an eleven-year-old boy, flows forth in these pages l More...
Aug 03, 2008
Judith
rated it: 
I actually first read this many years ago, probably after I read "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and went in search of more books by Maclachlan. I came back to it after reading a review of a bindup of "Journey" and "Baby" in The Horn Book Guide. It's a beautiful little novella, the hard subject of abandonment dealt with a lightness of touch and a sweet compassion. And a perfect companion to "Baby".
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Oct 03, 2010
Teri
rated it:
Eleven year-old Journey lives with his grandparents and older sister in a rural farmland. Journey is desperately trying to cope with his mother's abandonment. Through photography and the love of his family he begins to accept his circumstances and realize that coming to terms with his past is the only way he can look forward to his future.
Audience/Age Level: 9-12 yrs
Instructional Ideas:
This book would be great to use in an ELA classroom when exploring the g More...
Audience/Age Level: 9-12 yrs
Instructional Ideas:
This book would be great to use in an ELA classroom when exploring the g More...
Oct 28, 2010
Jhorleny
rated it:
i love this book .It's about a boy named journey that goes throw feeling alone . journey's mother left him and cat (his siter with there grandparnts . also he tries to blame his grandfather for his mother living him . he goes intomany adventures and his grandpa help him get a pet . i gave it a 4 because his mother never came back . it was a sad ending .
Apr 17, 2010
Margaret
rated it: 
The story is about the life of a young boy named Journey, whose mother left him to live with his grandparents and sister on a rural farm. Journey is faced with the question: why did she leave? He spends the summer searching for answers in photographs from the past and discovering his own family relationships and past through them as well.
Mar 01, 2009
Todd
rated it:
Like Walk Two Moons in that it’s about a child and grandparents, similar relationship (grandparents a little kooky, love life) and mother has left. Grandfather tries to give Journey a “past” by photographing all over farm. Good moments with family trying to understand why mother has left and tore up pictures...
Sep 14, 2011
Tehemamma
rated it:
This book is the definition of poignant. There are laugh out loud moments yet it is a heavy subject and dealt with beautifully. A young boy's search to find his past and the reasons for his present. Excellent read.
Apr 12, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
Short story of a boy whose Mama and Papa left him. Sadness is felt for the him as he looks for the definition of "family".
Apr 07, 2009
Michellesiegel
rated it:
Quick story of a boy whose Mama and Papa left him. Lots od sadness for the boy looking for the notion of family.
Oct 09, 2011
Laura
rated it:
MacLachlan definitely has a knack for communicating deep emotions in the language of a child, and there were some genuinely hilarious moments in this book. But I would not give this to my child to read - it's too depressing. The story is about a young boy, Journey, who, along with his sister Cat, is abandoned by his mother and is forced to live with his grandparents, which he highly resents. The story chronicles Journey's desperate search for identity - individually and within the context of his
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Jun 23, 2008
Julie
rated it: 
I love this book. Even though it might be classified as a children's story, I read this as an adult and still return to reread it again and again. Maybe it's because it weaves a story with photography as a cathartic character in the story, or maybe it is just because it's a lovely, well-written, beautiful story about love and family. Thanks, Mark, for introducing me to this book!
Dec 10, 2007
Rachel
rated it:
I enjoyed that this book explores how perspective changes relationship. I also liked the Grandfather character. He is quirky and has not given up being interested in and learning new things even though he is old. He also has a good understanding of his grandson's pain and how to help him in it without just taking it away from him. The book has a little twist at the end.
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Apr 14, 2008
Angela
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I actually used this novel in my class. It's a very quick and easy read, but it seems to have a deeper meaning to it that my students just couldn't seem to pick up. Grandfather reminds me of my mom, always taking pictures to capture the memories.
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Feb 22, 2008
Cheyenne
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I loved this book! Very easy quick read, but powerful message...although everything in life--from photographs to families--is not perfect, things can be good enough.
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