Journey

Title: Journey
Author: Aaron Becker 
Illustrator: Aaron Becker 
Publisher: Candlewick 
Publication Date: August 6th, 2013  
Genre/Format: Fantasy/Wordless Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.

A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.
What I Think: I blogged recently about the power of wordless picture books. I just love how wonderful they are at giving readers an opportunity to think closely about building a story. It's amazing what we - kids especially - can come up with when given the opportunity. There are many great ideas to support reluctant writers and I believe that sharing a wordless picture books and talking through ideas together is one great opportunity to give them an entry into a story.
    Loneliness is such a universal feeling - it seems like everyone has to experience some level of loneliness at some point in their lives. Journey gives us a story to find solidarity in feeling lonely but also an idea for how to curb loneliness. If you ever feel lonely, you always have your imagination! By imagining other worlds and finding fun things to do, you may discover new places, experiences and even people. I love the sentiment of this book and how it plays between a magical imaginary world and the real world. Such a great story to share with students.
Read Together: Grades 1 - 12 
Read Alone: Grades 2 - 12 
Read With: Hello! Hello! by Matthew Cordell, Bluebird by Bob Staake, The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat 
Snatch of Text:  

Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Making Inferences, Making Predictions 

Writing Strategies to Practice: Personal Narrative, Descriptive, Characterization, Narrative
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when you felt lonely. What did you do in that situation? 
Topics Covered: Adventure, Friendship, Imagination, Dreams 

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