Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me [Hardcover]

Ann Grifalconi (Author), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Two Caldecott Honor recipients join to bring you the incredible journey of one man, as he recounts the story of his passage on the Underground Railroad to his granddaughter. His message is one of cheer, for although he and his family found troubles during their escape, he found that folks, black and white, "helped lift us up when we was down." How, then, could he ever turn his back on another human being?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–In this story set in the early 20th century, a young African-American narrator recalls a special moment shared with her grandfather. As the two walk together, Gran'pa greets passersby with warmth and friendliness. The source of his joy, of course, is freedom; that longing and fulfillment are made tangible through his explanation of the apple seeds he carried in his pocket while still a slave–and the orchard he owns now. He relates the story of his escape, with his wife and infant daughter, describing the kindness and safe passage shown to them by a white farmer, a member of the Underground Railroad. Later, as Gran'pa planted each seed in his own soil, he thought of someone who'd helped us on our way. Pinkney's signature pencil-and-watercolor earth tones serve well for the escape scenes; his palette lightens with an infusion of pink, and his style becomes looser and more impressionistic as the pair peer into the blossoms at the conclusion. Some of the figural renderings are less successful, and particular perspectives necessitate a foreshortening that appears awkward. While this is not the author's or illustrator's strongest effort, educators in schools and churches will find uses for the Good Samaritan lessons presented throughout.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

An exciting Underground Railroad escape is detailed in this handsome picture book, framed by the title's message of community and connection. A former slave takes his small granddaughter to his apple orchard, and when she asks how come he waves "hello" to everyone, he answers that he knows them not by name, but by heart. He talks to her of slavery times, when he carried apple seeds in his pocket and dreamed of planting them in his own soil. Then he escaped with his wife and baby (the grandchild's mama), and he describes how a brave white man, Quaker James Stanton, helped them cross the Ohio River to freedom. Pinkney's watercolor double-paged spreads contrast the sepia-toned gloom of slavery and hiding with the abundant light-filled apple orchard today. Final notes explain the story's roots in the life of Orleans Finger, who told his story as part of the Federal Writers' Project in 1937. Caught by the action, children will hear Finger's shining words across time, race, and generations. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Jump At The Sun; 1ST edition (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786818573
• ISBN-13: 978-0786818570
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Freedom, family, faith, fortitude and fun!, January 10, 2010

By 

Intellectualista (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me (Hardcover)

Loosely based on the life of Orleans Finger, this is a touching story of a granddaughter's experience with her grandfather. This book works as a wonderful example of historical fiction and it is a beautifully illustrated picture book. To add historical accuracy, the grandfather recounts his story of escape via the Underground Railroad and his encounter with Rev. Stanton. Although the target audience is ages 5-9, some may have minor difficulty with the mild use of dialect and flashback. Still, it is a remarkable story with a powerful message of love and perseverance. It is a worthwhile read, indeed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Ain't Nobody A Stranger, December 4, 2007

By 

Kirsten G. Cutler (Santa Rosa, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me (Hardcover)

A man and his granddaughter walk through town, and when he greets everyone they pass, she asks him if he knows all of them. He responds that he does not know them "by name--just by heart...ain't nobody a stranger to me!" He used to be a slave and relates to his granddaughter the story of a specific suspenseful incident in which a Quaker farmer helped him and his wife travel to the next station on the Underground Railroad. He tells her that many people helped them, and now that he is free, he cannot help but be friendly toward others. As they walk through the family apple orchard, he recalls how as he planted apple seeds he remembered each person who had helped him. Excitedly, the granddaughter asks if she can plant an apple seed so she will remember what he has told her, "I won't forget what you said, Gran'pa--not ever!" Lavish watercolors saturated with color and filled with details convey beautifully time and place as well as the emotional resonance between the man and the child. This lovely picture book is "inspired by a statement by former slave Orleans Finger, who recounted his experiences for the Federal Writers' Project in 1937." Share with children, ages 4-8.