All Aboard the Schooltrain: A Little Story from the Great Migration - by Glenda Armand (Hardcover)

About the Book

During the Great Migration in 1930's Louisiana, eight-year-old Jenny tries to understand why a man named Jim Crow is making trouble for her family.

Book Synopsis

Hop on board for this tender family story, inspired by the author's own, and discover a dynamic chapter in American history--and the many trains people rode toward freedom. A must-have for home and classroom libraries.

A CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book

BCALA Best of the Best Book

* "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

* "Lends the meandering feel of family stories to this portrait of a historical moment." -- Publishers Weekly, 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?

Review Quotes

Distinctions and Praise for All Aboard the Schooltrain:

A CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book

BCALA Best of the Best Book

* "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." -- Kirkus Reviews, 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." -- Booklist, starred review

* "[In this] child's view of the Great Migration. . . . Morris's digitally collaged tissue paper illustrations foreground figures and wide-open landscapes, and Armand, who draws on personal history, lends the meandering feel of family stories to this portrait of a historical moment." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Glenda Armand has had a long career as a teacher and a school librarian. She is the author of Love Twelve Miles Long, for which she received Lee & Low's New Voices Award, as well as several other acclaimed books with a focus on African American history, including Song in a Rainstorm and Black Leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. If she's not at her writing desk, you can find her in her rose garden. Learn more about Glenda and her work at glenda-armand.com.
Keisha Morris earned her BFA in illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and mentored with award-winning illustrators Sean Qualls, Selina Alko, and Dan Santat. She is the illustrator of Hair Story by NoNieqa Ramos, When My Cousins Come to Town by Angela Shanté, and For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World by Michael W. Waters. When she is not drawing, she loves spending time with her wife, daughter, and two crazy cats. Learn more about Keisha and her work at keishamorris.com.