A young man from Japan, during the Meiji era, crosses the Pacific Ocean and explores the United States.

He plans a trip to see his adopted country again with his grandson, but never gets a chance to see California again as a result of World War II.

The book was largely met with high praise for both its written content and for its illustrations’ abilities to elicit the emotions and realities of the immigrant life of an Asian American.

[2][4] The illustrations of Grandfather’s Journey were equally applauded, with Publishers Weekly citing Say’s paintings and "sepia tones" as reminiscent of a "carefully preserved family album.

[7] Another critic comments that Say’s portraiture in the book invites readers to create their own interpretations and possibilities of the story behind the paintings.

"[2][3] Furthermore, in the context of children’s literature, Say’s work is one of a handful of books that is by someone whom scholars Noreen Rodriguez and Esther Kim dub "cultural insiders.

"[10] Yet, Grandfather’s Journey is cited as a work amidst this genre that provides an "authentic portrayal…about the AAPI experience.