Yossel's Journey

by Kathryn Lasky, Johnson Yazzie (Illustrator)

"Yossel, along with his family, flees anti-Jewish Russian pogroms in the late nineteenth century and settles in the American Southwest where he forges a friendship with Thomas, a Native American Navajo boy"--

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Jewish, Fiction, Historical, Nature

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2022

About the author

Kathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I love how unique and different this picture storybook is!

Thank you, Charlesbridge, for the advance reading copy.

A good but an intense and serious read for the young readers, it will be a good story to read together with a teacher or an adult.

I am impressed with the unusual art and illustrations. You will be surprised.

The entire book is a visual treat starting from the cover, the first few pages before the actual content and the last few pages. I say a visual treat.

It's the story of Yossel whose family flees Russia and goes to America. He is quite worried about making new friends and how to adjust to a new home. He's lonely and afraid. Read this book how things change for him. It's heartwarming and hopeful.

I appreciate the glossary for reference towards the end.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a rich and thought-provoking book that would be great for discussing critically with students. It tells the historical fiction story of Yossel, a Jewish boy who flees Russia with his family and emigrates to Navajo country, where he befriends a Navajo boy named Thomas and his family. The two boys become friends across and through their different cultures and languages, encountering the gaps and joys that come from communicating through difference. I did feel like there were missed opportunities for drawing parallels here—i.e. Yossel's family's displacement and the displacement of the Navajo people onto reservations (since a reservation is specifically mentioned, why not delve fully in to what that means?)—as well as missed opportunities for showing that just because Yossel's family is fleeing violence and discrimination, it doesn't render their move onto Navajo land neutral. The book's "feel-good" ending ("My name is Yossel. This is my house in the desert. This is my friend Thomas. We live in America.") left a sour taste in my mouth. This being said, I think precisely these problematic narrative moments are what could make this book really interesting for discussing and critiquing—taking Yossel's joke about the chicken as a starting point, for example. How does the story change when we change the perspective?


Themes: Immigration, Displacement, Language, Friendship
Age range: Elementary

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations evoke the unique landscape of New Mexico and provide a beautiful backdrop for this fascinating tale about the meeting of two vastly different cultures and the making of a unique friendship between two boys from very different worlds. The Author’s Note includes more background information about Jewish immigrants in the Southwest and an annotated selected bibliography for further reading.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book, you can see the texture in the drawings and the color palette is lovely.

This was a beautiful story and I, like Kathryn Lasky would like to believe that a young Jewish immigrant and a young Navajo boy became friends and shared their cultures without fear.

[Maureen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yossel’s Journey, written by Kathryn Lasky, was copyrighted in 2022 and illustrated by Johnson Yazzie. This book received a good review by goodreads and Kirkus reviews. The author was intrigued by the Jewish population who did not stay in New York but instead kept going to the Southwest and settled at trading posts to make their living.
During the 19th century, the Jews were being sought out by the leader of Russia, the tsar and so this story is about an 8 year old boy named, Yossel, who had to leave his home, which he dearly misses throughout the story to evade the soldiers. His family settled at a trading post left by his Uncle Izzy, before he passed away, in New Mexico. Yossel was shy and sad until he met his new best friend, Thomas, a young Navajo boy who was the same age as Yossel. Instead of focusing on the absolute hardships or graphic events of the time when Russians went after Jews, the story focused on the positive aspects of starting a new life as a result of an invasion or running from harm.
The illustrator, Johnson Yazzie was the perfect candidate to illustrate this book as she, herself is of Navajo descent. The illustration was very interesting in that it looked like a collage of cutouts, put together in one page and using colorful, acrylic paint. The faces on the characters seem so realistic, unlike any other books I have seen. I would recommend this book for grades levels 2-3. This is a wonderful way to talk about negative situations that can have a positive ending. It can also open up the topic of the 19th century dilemma of the Jews being targeted by Russians.

[Ezra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yossel's Journey is about a young Jewish boy and his family who immigrate from Russia during the pogroms, to the American Southwest and come to live at a trading post near a Navajo reservation. Yossel not only as to adjust to a new living situation, but also learn two new languages and try to make friends.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I always appreciate books that show different Jewish history than what is most commonly shown (in this case, instead of settling in New York like a lot of Jewish families did, Yossel's family continues further west), not to say that those stories are not important too, but having a wide variety is never bad. And especially books like this one that show off two marginalized cultures.

I thought the art was beautiful and did a great job depicting both the lives and friendship of Yossel and Thomas.

Having the continued reading suggestions in the back was also a great addition!

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yossel's family moves from Russia to the American Southwest to start a trading post. It's a tough journey and it takes a while, but he comes to appreciate the area and the people.

We liked it because it's illustrated by a Yazzie, and we had close family friends who were Yazzies when we ourselves lived adjacent to the Navajo reservation. We still love the landscape and the people and hold them very close to our hearts.

I also learned something about our family--the book tells of a ceremony the Navajo do when a baby laughs out loud for the first time, and Mom said our family did this ceremony when my sister laughed out loud the first time. We invited our neighbors (the Yazzies) and Kristin (the baby) gave everyone small gifts. I don't remember this, but I was 5, so...

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my youngest children (ages 7 and 2) one evening, and they really enjoyed it. Another evening, I started reading it to them again, and suddenly the two next older children (ages 12 and 10) were hanging over me, listening to every word and studying every picture, too! I knew then that I had a winner. I love the way Kathryn Lasky told a story that I had never heard, and I love the pictures. They are beautiful, and make me think of the Navajo people. The colors are reminiscent of Navajo art and blankets. The story is delightful, too; I love the ending!

I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in the time of the tsars, Yossel's parents take them away from their home in Russia to Odessa to England to NYC to Topeka to Santa Fe to a new home at the trading post near the Navajo reservation. Once they have settled in, Yossel begins to learn English and Navajo in addition to his own Yiddish while getting to know a neighbor boy and making friends. I loved it! Great for gifting.
Learn about some Jewish immigrants who did not stay in NYC.
The illustrations by Johnson Yazzie are delightful, colorful, vibrant, and imaginative.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Charlesbridge via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a Russian Jew’s immigration to America. However, Yossel traveled much farther than just New York. His family traveled to the south and lived near an indigenous reservation where they took over an uncle’s trading post. There Yossel made friends with a native child. Their traditions may be different, but they can both belong and be friends. While this story is fiction, it is based on similar real-life events. The story is wonderful, and the illustrations are a perfect match.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a lot within its limited words/space. Yossel and his family leave Russia because the tsar is hunting Jews. They bring a few things and leave some things behind. They travel to where their relative used to live and take over his trading post. Yossel learns some Navajo language, meets a sheep, and makes a friend in Thomas.
I think this will stick with me.

Also has to be said, lovely illustrations. I haven't seen a style like this one before. I enjoyed how background details overlapped / built on each other.

[Marion Cleborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book!

This is a truly special story. It tells the story of Yossel, a Jewish boy from Russia, who moves to the American southwest. Despite language and culture differences, he befriends a Native American boy. They learn about each other's beliefs in this picture book set against a background of beautiful art. This book really got me interested in the recommended further readings about this topic.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always interesting to learn new things. About this Russian kid who went to America: by train, and boat, and train again, for so many days back then, to find that his new home, bit by bit, resembles his old home that he left behind. This is a simple story, but satisfies my curiosity about how people travels and adapt back then. The long arduous journey, the new territory they have to adapt, new friends and customs to learn.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa, this book is stunning and may be my new favorite. There is so much to learn from here. I am glad for the bibliography so that I can follow up. I was surprised to see that it was only published in September 2022 given its timeless feel.

The illustrator, Johnson Yazzie's, dedication at the front of the book is touching and its veritude gleams throughout the pages. Where else can we see his art?

Companion Read:
- "Elan, Son of Two Peoples" by Heidi Smith Hyde and Mikela Prevost

[Yapha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, since Jewish immigrants who settled outside of major cities has long fascinated me. I am glad to see the interaction between the Jewish family and their Native neighbors. However I felt the story was too slight and the telling felt stilted. It needed more details and depth. For grades 2 & up.

eARC provided by publishers via NetGalley

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for this lushly illustrated imagining of Jewish immigrants who bypassed big cities and made their new homes in the American southwest, establishing trading posts where they traded with the Native people. The illustrations are just breath-taking -

I read a digital advanced reading copy from the publisher

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about a young Jewish boy who flees Russia's pogroms and moves to the American Southwest where he befriends a Navajo child. An interesting story of friendship across 2 different cultures. My daughter especially liked the author's note with additional information about Jews in Spain and the Americas.

[Ryan Laferney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating story of a Jewish boy, Yossel, and his family escaping Tsarist Russia and settling in the desert of New Mexico, where he befriends a Navajo boy, Thomas. A really sweet story about heritage, family, and home.

[Emily✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Distinctive art style and interesting historical story about a Russian Jewish family who immigrate and settle in New Mexico near a Navajo reservation. The writing felt a bit stilted to me, but I can imagine kids connecting to the simple and matter-of-fact storytelling style.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful immigration story and lovely, textured illustrations combine to make a great read.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an eARC courtesy of Charlesbridge Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful book with two characters from different backgrounds becoming friends

[Mackenzie Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the user Aolund has a really great review of this book and says exactly what I was thinking.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[KMitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story of a young boy who immigrated from Russia to the western US & befriended a Navajo boy. Lots of culture to appreciate.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ENJOYED this book! I learned some new things. I now have another favorite illustrator--Johnson Yazzie!