The Great Migration: Journey to the North facts for kids
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| Author | Eloise Greenfield |
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| Illustrator | Jan Spivey Gilchrist |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
| Publisher | Amistad |
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Publication date
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2011 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 32 |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-125921-0 |
| OCLC | 51699 |
The Great Migration: Journey to the North is a special poetry book for kids published in 2011. It was written by Eloise Greenfield and has beautiful pictures by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. The book shares the stories and feelings of African-American families. These families were part of a huge move called the Great Migration in the United States during the 1900s. The book was first released by Amistad.
What is this book about?
The book starts with a quick look at the Great Migration. It also shares the author's own story from that time. Then, the book tells the journey through short poems. Each poem shows a different person's feelings.
One poem talks about ads and letters from northern companies. These companies wanted African Americans to move north for better jobs and safety. The book shows a man sadly saying goodbye to his land. It also shows children scared to leave their friends. A woman eagerly leaves, hoping for a better life.
Other poems describe packing bags and riding on trains. A longer poem in the middle is called III. The Trip. It shows many people leaving for the north. They feel hopeful but also unsure. They make new friends on the journey. They dream about the places they are going to live. One part describes nights on the train. The bright moon shines overhead, and babies cry.
Shorter poems show men and women wondering if moving will truly help their families. Then, there is the joy of meeting loved ones at the train stations in the north. The last poem is about the author's own family. Greenfield tells how her father left for Washington, D.C.. Her family followed him soon after. Her family was just one of many determined to find a better life.
The Story Behind the Book
Both the author, Eloise Greenfield, and the illustrator, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, were part of the Great Migration. Greenfield's family moved when she was just four months old. They went from Parmele, North Carolina to Washington, D.C. Gilchrist's family moved to Chicago, Illinois, before she was born.
Both families left their homes for important reasons. They faced unfair treatment and had trouble finding good jobs. Greenfield explains that life in the North was not perfect. People still faced unfairness there. But families were able to build good homes and lives. The book's pictures were made using a special art style called collage. This means different materials are glued together to create an image.
