Author /
Illustrator: Francesca
Sanna
Publication Year: 2016
Genre / Category: Picture Book (Contemporary Realism)
Target Age Group: Grades 2–5
Format Read: Physical copy
Summary
The Journey details the experiences of a young girl and her family after they are forced to flee their home when war comes. The story emphasizes fear, hope, and safety rather than political intrigue or historical information due to the child’s narration.
Justification for Selection
This book
offers a sensitive and age-appropriate way to introduce upper elementary
students to the complex topic of forced migration. Since these concepts can be
daunting for children in grades 2–5, the narrative provides a way to learn
about the subject without relying on graphic illustrations. As a story told by
a child for other children, this resource is highly valuable for classroom
settings, helping to foster empathy for global humanitarian crises and
supporting migrant children in seeing their lived experiences reflected.
Evaluation
The theme is
centered on the reality of families being fractured and displaced by war. A
particularly powerful use of symbolism occurs at the end of the book where
Sanna compares migrating birds to migrating people. The contrast between a
flock of birds moving fluidly as one and the family’s restricted, difficult
movement subtly addresses the fact that refugees do not share the same freedom
of travel as the natural world. While the ending is poignant, it leaves the
family's resettlement unresolved. Addressing the challenges of resettlement
would have added another layer of depth, as the journey for most migrants does
not truly end upon crossing a border.
Narrated from a
child’s perspective, the story presents the emotional reality of migration in a
way that feels immediate but not overwhelming. The decision to leave the
characters unnamed is effective, as it prevents the narrative from being tied
to a single location, allowing young readers to project themselves into the
story. The emotional impact is achieved not through graphic detail, but through
what is left unsaid; fear and uncertainty are communicated through silence and
pause, making the experience reflective rather than disturbing for a young
audience.
The
illustrations are the primary driver of meaning in this work. Sanna’s
intentional use of composition, movement, and the contrast between dark and
light colors directly influences the reader's emotional response. Dark, cramped
spaces with shadowy figures successfully evoke fear, while the transition to
lighter, open spaces allows for a sense of hope and safety. The strong sense of
visual movement makes the reader feel as if they are traveling alongside the
family. This reliance on visual storytelling makes the book an excellent
resource for readers who may struggle with the text but can still grasp the
deep emotional weight of the journey through the art.
References
Sanna, F.
(2016). The journey. Flying Eye Books.