Lasky, Kathryn. Yossel’s Journey. Johnson Yazzie, Illus. Picture Book. Charlesbridge, 09/2022. [44]pp. $18.99. 978-1-62354-176-7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 1-5
A young boy, Yossel, and his family flee late 1800s Russia due to the pogroms, journeying to their new home in New Mexico near a Navajo reservation. They run the local trading post they inherited from Uncle Izzy, where Yossel meets and befriends Thomas, a Navajo boy who teaches him some of his Dine language. The text is best suited to
elementary school students because of its length and subject matter. The boldly colored acrylic on
canvas illustrations by Yazzie (Navajo) have a slight similarity to graffiti art, making the time period open
to interpretation. Readers will understand this celebration of cross-cultural friendship and the
importance of welcoming immigrant families to our communities. The book ends with an author’s note
and list of further reading describing Lasky’s research.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool
