This Is the Rope
A Story from the Great Migration
Jacqueline Woodson author James Ransome illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Putnam Inc
Published:21st Jul '17
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A simple rope binds generations together in New York Times bestselling and National Book Award winning author Jacqueline Woodson's narrative. While award winning illustrator, James Ransome beautifully portrays the family's experience of the Great Migration.
When a little girl in South Carolina finds a rope under a tree one summer, she has no idea it will become part of her family's history. But for three generations, that very rope is passed down, used for everything from jump rope games to tying suitcases onto a car for the big move north to New York City - and even for a family reunion.When a little girl in South Carolina finds a rope under a tree one summer, she has no idea it will become part of her family's history. But for three generations, that very rope is passed down, used for everything from jump rope games to tying suitcases onto a car for the big move north to New York City - and even for a family reunion, where that first little girl is now a grandmother. This rope, a simple but beloved possession, frames the family's story as we follow them on their journey north during the time of the Great Migration, when millions of African American families relocated from the rural South.
Praise for This is the Rope:
* “Woodson’s (Each Kindness) gentle, unpretentious writing and Ransome’s eloquent artwork breathe life into this story of a close-knit African-American family and their pursuit of a better life . . . The chronicle of a homely object in an age of disposables and the sense of place Woodson and Ransome evoke make this an especially strong and vibrant fictive memoir.”--Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Expressive oil paintings illustrate the clean, well-cadenced text in scenes that include well-researched period details . . . There’s no doubt of the warmth and strength of the family ties that bind these individuals together.”—Booklist
“The rope becomes a symbol of family tradition and continuity against a backdrop of historical and social change. Woodson’s understated but eloquent text gives specific details of one family’s experience, while Ransome’s rich oil paintings provide historical context.”—The Horn Book
“A warm family saga of a household united by love, pride and an uncommon heirloom. The repetition of the title in a nursery-rhyme style will resonate with young listeners. Ransome’s vivid, full-bleed, double-page–spread oil paintings create an upbeat, welcoming vista of rural South Carolina and urban Brooklyn . . . A quiet affirmation of a strong and close-knit family that, along with so many other African-Americans, found a better life as part of the Great Migration.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Spare, eloquent . . . A beautifully told family tale about a loving, close-knit African-American family over several decades . . . The language is deliberate and lyrical. . . . Landscapes indicative both of the changing geography and the passing of time . . . remarkable, with light falling on faces at the perfect angle and facial features carrying abundant emotion. Young listeners . . . [will] be drawn to this warm and hope-filled tale.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“A poignant, realistic, generational story. Woodson masterfully weaves a tale of an African American family’s move from the rural south to New York City . . . Ransome’s beautifully rich oil paintings add depth and interest . . . The perfect picture book to include in a study of The Great Migration . . . An excellent tale to include in a study of family histories. It is a picture book to savor as a read-aloud.”—Library Media Connection
- Winner of New York Times Notable Book.
ISBN: 9780425288948
Dimensions: 279mm x 229mm x 3mm
Weight: 159g
32 pages