This Is The Rope: A Story From The Great Migration (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Date: November 24th, 2014Author: Jacqueline Woodson; Illustrated by James RansomeTitle: This Is The RopePlot: Jacqueline Woodson's picture-book features the life of Beatrice, a young African-American Brooklyn-raised girl, her mother and grandmother who left the South, along with 6 million other African Americans, to go to the North, where better jobs, treatment and opportunity was available. Setting: The South (South Carolina); Brooklyn, New YorkCharacters: Beatrice (main character); Beatrice's mom and grandmotherPoint-of-View: First-Person (Beatrice is the main speaker)Theme: Better Opportunity Style: Picture-Book Poetic-NarrativeCopyright: 2013Notes: I would definitely use this book for storytelling or for a History lesson during Black History Month. Well-written and I love the author's work. I found this story to be very interesting as it detailed the many uses of a simple piece of rope over the course of three generations of an African American family. The rope has been used as a clothes line, jump rope, and even to tie down luggage on a car for the long journey north during the Great Migration. This book not only details the history of one family over multiple generations but also takes place during a particular period in the history of the United States. In a classroom this book could be used to teach the idea that even something simple like a piece of rope can hold sentimental value to a person. It opens up opportunities for students to discuss objects that they feel are important to them or their families. I think that the illustrations in this story as well as the repeated phrases make it a good read for elementary readers.
What do You think about This Is The Rope: A Story From The Great Migration (2013)?
Beautiful book. Takes on more meaning when you read the author's note about the Great Migration.
—fpatel95
The story of a family's life and history, threaded by a rope. Beautiful.
—Sheercruz
Incredible book from my favorite author. Read the author's note first.
—Dorita
Beautiful story, and illustrations. Nostalgic, timeless picture book!
—Kate
Wow! Moving story. Didn't see this ending... very powerful story.
—slry
