Published by Dial Press in 1994, it is a prequel to Back Home, and is about a young girl, Ernestine, who makes sacrifices so she can afford a train trip.

School Library Journal, in a review of The Sunday Outing, wrote "Gloria Jean Pinkney reaches back into her childhood to create another realistic and moving depiction of African-American life.

The text reflects the true essence of African-American dialogue and meshes with Jerry Pinkney's illustrations"[1] and Booklist called it "upbeat".

[1] Publishers Weekly wrote "Gloria Pinkney skillfully captures the fidgety impatience of childhood.

.. Jerry Pinkney's pale watercolors include several tender, warmly lit portraits.