Judy's Journey

The value of a book is more than the skill and creativity of the writer. It encompasses the value that is given it by its readers. A book has immeasurable value when it gives hope, comfort, and a sense of belonging to children.I can't review Judy's Journey objectively because of my love for it as a child. Television was new then and I believed that it depicted a real world of perfect homes, fathers who always knew best, three perfect meals a day, and mothers who could hear and wore high heels. Families in other neighborhoods lived in that world, but my family could never gain admittance. Television confirmed that my family did not belong.Then I read Judy's Journey and it was a revelation. Here was a world I knew and understood and that was as legitimate as any other. I'm sure I cried at the hailstorm that destroyed the farmer's crop because we had lost our Montana farm, three meals a day, and all sense of having a home to a short summer hailstorm. Few things are sadder than a farm auction where everything you know is sold to the highest bidder, with the bank taking the proceeds, and all that is left is the old truck and trailer.When Judy said, "You couldn't thank people for treating you like human beings" I knew the truth of it because the worst thing about poverty is not the homelessness or the hunger, but the contempt of people in that other world where a hailstorm is not the end of life as you know it.My father had been abandoned early and educated only to the third grade. My mother was completely deaf in one ear and with limited hearing in the other with the use of a hearing aid. It is very hard for such people to start over. A reviewer of "Strawberry Girl" said that it was a story about White Trash. His statement illustrates the contempt with which we became familiar. Yet my parents were among the most honorable, honest, unbigoted, and generous people I've ever known.Lois Lenski wrote about people who lived in the world of my childhood. I will always love her for letting me feel as valid a human being as anyone.

I love Lois Lenski's writings and this one I think I liked best so far. Judy is a migrant child, and this is the story of her and her family over the course of a couple of years. She experienced a lot, both good and bad, but she was always wanting a real house to live . The struggle seemed real, and the ending was such a goid, happy one. This story emphasizes ha work and determination.

This is an interesting and informative read despite its WWII era setting. Can be an eye opener and empathy developer for both children and adults.

Lois Lenski is my favorite author. Her books saved my life when I was a young girl. I would just escape on a Journey. I love the way she describes everything about Judy, the way she writes makes gives your imagination something to work with....My favorite parts are when she describes what they eat and how they cook and the clothes Judy wears. Great author.

I loved all the Lois Lenski books when I was a kid. This one was one of my favorites. Now that I am older, I decided to reread some of my favorite childhood books. "Judy's Journey" was just as good as I remembered. I'm really happy that they are releasing new editions of some of these books: they are timeless.

In good shape

Lenski is enjoyable, always.

This book was a bit simplistic, but it is certainly a good way of teaching younger readers about what it is like to be a migrant family.