All Aboard the Schooltrain: A Little Story from the Great Migration

by Glenda Armand (Author) Keisha Morris (Illustrator)

All Aboard the Schooltrain: A Little Story from the Great Migration
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

This tender family story, inspired by the author's own, illuminates a dynamic chapter in American history known as the Great Migration -- and the many trains people rode toward freedom.

* "A vivid evocation of place and era rolling solidly on a bed of timeless values." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "A child-friendly picture book introducing the Great Migration." -- Booklist, starred review

Thelma loves to watch the Sunset Limited chug through her little town of Vacherie, Louisiana. And she dreams of one day riding a real train! For now, she has her beloved schooltrain. Every morning, she and her friends walk to school, single file, chanting all the way:

"Schooltrain! Schooltrain! Don't be late! The school bell rings at half past eight!"

Then it's on to great adventures with her teacher's books -- and her own imagination!

But lately, someone named Jim Crow has been making trouble for folks in Vacherie. Aunt Bea and Uncle Ed have already moved away. When Thelma's best friend also has to leave, Thelma wonders, who is Jim Crow and why does he have to be so mean? Will he make trouble for Pop, too?

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review
Armand retraces both the metaphorical and actual journeys, filling in details about Jim Crow as well as the Great Migration and her family's experience of them. A vivid evocation of place and era rolling solidly on a bed of timeless values.

ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
The genuine warmth of the text derives from Armand's portrayal of Thelma's supportive family and close-knit Black community, which nurture and protect her. The story is firmly rooted in experiences from the author's childhood and her mother's...Morris' imaginative digital illustrations feature lively, active scenes and expressive character portrayals. A child-friendly picture book introducing the Great Migration.

Review quotes

 

Glenda Armand
Glenda Armand lives in Los Angeles and has had a long career as a teacher and school librarian. She now devotes her time to writing picture-book biographies of people who overcame big obstacles to do great things. Glenda is the author of the award-winning Love Twelve Miles Long, Ira's Shakespeare Dream and Song in a Rainstorm: The Story of Musical Prodigy Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins, as well as Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese. When she is not writing, Glenda can be found in her garden tending her roses and succulents. Her favorite ice cream flavor is butter pecan. You can learn more about her at glenda-armand.com.

Kim Freeman is a children's book writer who lives in Bloomington, Indiana. She enjoys writing books that inspire children to follow their dreams. Ice Cream Man is her debut picture book. Kim holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Indiana University. She likes to relax by visiting museums and zoos with her family and loves discovering new ice cream shops. She is a triple-scoop fan of chocolate peanut butter. You can visit her online at kimfreeman.us.

Keith Mallett has been drawing and painting for as long as he can remember. The NAACP Image Award-nominated artist and designer has created posters and fine art prints for more than forty years. In 2017, he created the Google Doodle commemorating Martin Luther King Day. He has illustrated a number of picture books, including Curve & Flow (written by Andrea J. Loney), When Langston Dances (written by Kaija Langley), Sing a Song (written by Kelly Starling Lyons), and Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee! (written by Andrea J. Loney). Keith Lives in San Diego with his wife and German Shepherd.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781338766899
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Scholastic Press
Publication date
January 20, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV011010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JUV016150 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - 20th Century
JUV039120 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Prejudice & Racism
Library of Congress categories
History
African Americans
Picture books
20th century
Race relations
Louisiana
Racism

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