Dickens & Rumi
Cover of The Journey of Natty Gann

film

The Journey of Natty Gann

1985

America is in the depths of the Great Depression. Families drift apart when faraway jobs beckon. A courageous young girl confronts overwhelming odds when she embarks on a cross-country search for her father. During her odyssey, she forms a close bond with two diverse traveling companions: a magnificent, protective wolf, and a hardened drifter.

Source checked

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence3/5
  • Death of a character2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Good role models4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

Characters face the constant threat of death; includes references to the emotional pain of potential loss.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

The story includes injured workers, a train wreck and animal violence, but the supplied material indicates no graphic blood or detailed wounds.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some period-appropriate insults or harsh language may occur, but the supplied passages do not identify specific words or frequent profanity.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Natty has a brief, innocent romance with Harry, including companionship and an invitation to travel together.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

A child traveling alone faces abandonment, arrest, institutional confinement, predatory adults, train hazards, separation, and uncertainty about her father's survival.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Contains a scene involving an attempted sexual assault, which is tense but not graphically depicted.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Adults in this Depression-era setting may be shown smoking or drinking incidentally, but the supplied passages do not confirm prominent or glamorized substance use.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes fistfights, tense confrontations on freight trains, and the threat of harm in a dog-fighting ring.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

Courage is central: Natty undertakes a dangerous cross-country search, persists through setbacks, protects Wolf, and continues despite apparent loss.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Natty uses clever, creative problem-solving to survive on her own.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Features a range of socio-economic backgrounds and includes characters like the kindly drifter Charlie.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Provides a somber, dramatized look at the social and economic conditions of the Great Depression.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Natty saves Wolf, builds a protective bond with him, and receives important kindness from Harry, Charlie, and others despite exploitation.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It strongly supports perseverance, family bonds, loyalty, compassion, ingenuity, and maintaining hope through hardship.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Natty shows determination, resourcefulness, loyalty, and courage, while some adults exploit or neglect her and others offer meaningful help.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in The Journey of Natty Gann would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Journey of Natty Gann, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community reactions

What families noticed

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

Where to watch or buy

Buy or rent on AmazonFind on JustWatch

As an Amazon Associate, Dickens & Rumi may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Report an incorrect rating