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jess_mango's review
4.0
A Journey Toward Hope is a picture book about 4 children from Central & South America making the journey toward the United States. The story tells of the challenges and obstacles they face and the hope that they hold for their life in America.
The illustrations in the book were beautiful and a bit dreamlike. The story itself was good and got the point across of the challenges they faced without being too graphic. This story book would be good for elementary school aged children. This would be a good pick if trying to educate children about refugees.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations in the book were beautiful and a bit dreamlike. The story itself was good and got the point across of the challenges they faced without being too graphic. This story book would be good for elementary school aged children. This would be a good pick if trying to educate children about refugees.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
linnaboobooks's review
4.0
Such an important and inspiring children's book about four kids on their away to America from their homes and the struggles they must go through, maintaining hope along the way.
mrs_bookdragon's review
5.0
What a powerful story of immigration from northern Central America to the United States. I loved the paintings that were inspired by local folk art and how the illustrations told both the hardships and the hope. This was a beautiful story and is a must read.
beths0103's review
4.0
A beautiful, heart-wrenching story about a group of children making the dangerous journey from Guatemala and El Salvador to seek asylum in the United States.
crystal_reading's review
4.0
Review copy: Final copy via publisher
A Journey Toward Hope helps show the diversity of those coming into the US from the south. They are coming from many different places and situations. Their humanity is shown and young readers can see that unaccompanied minors go through much to get to the border asking for asylum. Though we don't get to know each character well, they are distinct and they each have hopes and dreams for their future.
The artwork is lovely and the addition of the animals related to each character will likely make it more appealing to young readers, but also simply adds a creative beauty to the story. The train, La Bestia, also has a beast shown that emphasizes the danger of that way of traveling without making it too overwhelming for young readers. Without visually showing how people may be injured or killed, it still communicates the fear and risks.
The end notes are excellent and I was glad to see a map that shows the places mentioned in the text. It also shows the paths that each of the characters travel. There are suggestions on how people can be involved in addressing the needs of migrant children. The illustrator's notes are also wonderful and explain that she was trying to show the importance of connections and relationships.
Recommendation: This is a wonderful addition to any library. There is a lot of confusion about unaccompanied minors and this is one way for readers to learn more about them in an age appropriate way. Many facts are shared through the end notes and through the story we see the emotional aspects. This will be a great way to start discussions with young people and I would venture to say there are many adults who could also benefit from this story and information.
A Journey Toward Hope helps show the diversity of those coming into the US from the south. They are coming from many different places and situations. Their humanity is shown and young readers can see that unaccompanied minors go through much to get to the border asking for asylum. Though we don't get to know each character well, they are distinct and they each have hopes and dreams for their future.
The artwork is lovely and the addition of the animals related to each character will likely make it more appealing to young readers, but also simply adds a creative beauty to the story. The train, La Bestia, also has a beast shown that emphasizes the danger of that way of traveling without making it too overwhelming for young readers. Without visually showing how people may be injured or killed, it still communicates the fear and risks.
The end notes are excellent and I was glad to see a map that shows the places mentioned in the text. It also shows the paths that each of the characters travel. There are suggestions on how people can be involved in addressing the needs of migrant children. The illustrator's notes are also wonderful and explain that she was trying to show the importance of connections and relationships.
Recommendation: This is a wonderful addition to any library. There is a lot of confusion about unaccompanied minors and this is one way for readers to learn more about them in an age appropriate way. Many facts are shared through the end notes and through the story we see the emotional aspects. This will be a great way to start discussions with young people and I would venture to say there are many adults who could also benefit from this story and information.
hlparis's review
5.0
A beautifully illustrated book about unaccompanied minors who travel from Central America to the US. An important read for younger children that scratches the surface of this scary journey so many children embark on.
maweets's review
5.0
It can be difficult to explain to younger readers the complex concept of kids their age leaving their families and their home, and walking hundreds of miles to come to the United States. This book seeks to explain why some kids have to leave and what the journey looks like. This book balances the reality of the situation for many while also trying to make this book easy to understand for many readers. I don't feel that hazardous conditions of home or the conditions of travel are often covered in a picture book format, so for that I applaud this book.
The illustrations combined with all of the information packed into this short story is incredible. I hope that it is shared as a learning tool for classrooms all over the US and I hope it inspires other young readers to advocate for other asylum seekers.
The illustrations combined with all of the information packed into this short story is incredible. I hope that it is shared as a learning tool for classrooms all over the US and I hope it inspires other young readers to advocate for other asylum seekers.
backonthealex's review
4.0
It's sometimes hard for Americans to think about allowing their children to travel unaccompanied by an adult through their own and neighboring countries, but that is exactly what sometimes happens when kids lives in countries where they are no longer safe. And that is the story of the four migrant children in this book.
Alessandra, 10 leaves her home in Guatemala, hoping to reunite with her mother; Laura, 13, and her brother Nando, 7, must leave El Salvador and live with their aunt and uncle in the US; Rodrigo, 14, is leaving his home in Honduras where things are no longer safe for him, and joining his parents in Nebraska.
As they journey toward the United States, they meet and form themselves into a protective little family. Their journey is long and often perilous. At one point, Laura falls out of the boat to Mexico and Rodrigo loses a shoe and must go barefoot until he is given shoes at a shelter.
The children are often hungry, but sometimes find kindness among strangers in shelters where they can sleep and among other who give them food. They must travel by foot and by boat, but once they are in Mexico, they can jump La Bestia, a series of connecting trains where they must ride atop the cars, the most dangerous part of the trip, but one that will take them closer to the U.S. border.
Though the story ends before they do reach the United States/Mexico border, their journey is always a journey of hope - each child has a dream for their future that they hope can be fulfilled in America.
This is an excellent picture book for older reader for introducing them to what is going on in the world today, particularly at the border between American and Mexico, and generating some informative discussions. Each child's story is simply told in accessible language. The illustrations are bright, done in a palette of soft pastels. Readers will also notice that each child has a lightly drawn animal by him or her. Be sure to read the Illustrator' Note to discover the meaning behind these animals. There is also more information in the back matter about the reality of life for migrant children as well as ways to get involved and help. Though I have reviewed the English edition of this book, there is a Spanish language edition available as well: Una jornada hacia la esperanza.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was gratefully received from Casey Blackwell at Media Masters Publicity
Alessandra, 10 leaves her home in Guatemala, hoping to reunite with her mother; Laura, 13, and her brother Nando, 7, must leave El Salvador and live with their aunt and uncle in the US; Rodrigo, 14, is leaving his home in Honduras where things are no longer safe for him, and joining his parents in Nebraska.
As they journey toward the United States, they meet and form themselves into a protective little family. Their journey is long and often perilous. At one point, Laura falls out of the boat to Mexico and Rodrigo loses a shoe and must go barefoot until he is given shoes at a shelter.
The children are often hungry, but sometimes find kindness among strangers in shelters where they can sleep and among other who give them food. They must travel by foot and by boat, but once they are in Mexico, they can jump La Bestia, a series of connecting trains where they must ride atop the cars, the most dangerous part of the trip, but one that will take them closer to the U.S. border.
Though the story ends before they do reach the United States/Mexico border, their journey is always a journey of hope - each child has a dream for their future that they hope can be fulfilled in America.
This is an excellent picture book for older reader for introducing them to what is going on in the world today, particularly at the border between American and Mexico, and generating some informative discussions. Each child's story is simply told in accessible language. The illustrations are bright, done in a palette of soft pastels. Readers will also notice that each child has a lightly drawn animal by him or her. Be sure to read the Illustrator' Note to discover the meaning behind these animals. There is also more information in the back matter about the reality of life for migrant children as well as ways to get involved and help. Though I have reviewed the English edition of this book, there is a Spanish language edition available as well: Una jornada hacia la esperanza.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was gratefully received from Casey Blackwell at Media Masters Publicity
agettler24's review
4.0
A Journey Toward Hope share the power of connection and hope as children seek asylum in the US! Beautiful book with an emphasis on hunger and poverty. In collaborations with Baylor University
briarsreviews's review
3.0
This is a wonderful story that needs to be told!
It's so lovely that tales like these are getting out and showing the world. While it's a sad tale, it is a very hopeful story. We follow Alessandra as she tries to take a very tough journey. She is a refugee and is trying to get to safety with her family.
I think this is a marvelous way to introduce immigration to children, especially since in my community we have many children who have stories similar to this. I think it tells the story in an easy to follow way and makes it so you feel for the characters. It does make the story way safer and nicer than it (most likely) truly is. That being said, this is a children's picture book so it probably is better it didn't go into the rough depths of these tales.
The pictures are unique, but a little strange with the water colour pictures. They looked kind of weird to me on some of the pages, but I still kind of liked the style. It's a 3/5 for style on my accounts.
Overall, this is an important story and is told beautifully.
Three out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Six Foot Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
It's so lovely that tales like these are getting out and showing the world. While it's a sad tale, it is a very hopeful story. We follow Alessandra as she tries to take a very tough journey. She is a refugee and is trying to get to safety with her family.
I think this is a marvelous way to introduce immigration to children, especially since in my community we have many children who have stories similar to this. I think it tells the story in an easy to follow way and makes it so you feel for the characters. It does make the story way safer and nicer than it (most likely) truly is. That being said, this is a children's picture book so it probably is better it didn't go into the rough depths of these tales.
The pictures are unique, but a little strange with the water colour pictures. They looked kind of weird to me on some of the pages, but I still kind of liked the style. It's a 3/5 for style on my accounts.
Overall, this is an important story and is told beautifully.
Three out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Six Foot Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.