Tag archives for Slavery
Posted by BOOK NAME: The Glory Field
AUTHOR: Walter Dean Myers
The Glory Field, a realistic historical fiction book by Walter Dean Myers, is a story of many generations of an African-American family. It shows that struggle can often lead to success.
In 1753, Muhammad Bilal is captured from Africa, put on a slave ship, and brought to a plantation in Curry, South Carolina. During the 1860′s, some of his descendants secretly run away and go off to fight for the Unions in the Civil War. Soon after in 1900, the descendants of this African-American Lewis family are free and work on the small plot of land that they own. Luvenia Lewis accomplishes her goals to succeed in a segregated country in the 1930′s. Soon after, in 1964, Tommy Lewis shows his inner courage by helping in the fight for equality. Malcolm Lewis is born in the modern equal world, but struggles to get his cousin off drugs. The whole family sticks together with family reunions in their original land on Curry–the Glory Field.
This book is well written and others should read it. The author ties in all of the important historical times for African-Americans helping me get a deeper understanding. For example, the 1860′s describes slavery and the Civil War, and the 1930′s section develops on the idea of the Great Migration of African-Americans from the South to the North. The characters change in some of the sections, but this is not confusing, because there is a timeline in the beginning to show the relationships between the characters.
Posted by BOOK NAME: Stolen Into Slavery: The True Story of Solomon Northrup
AUTHORS: Judith and Dennis Fradin
Hello, guys. Check out this awesome new book! Stolen Into Slavery: The True Story of Solomon Northrup by Judith Fradin and Dennis Fradin has made me look for other books like it.
This wasn’t the funniest book I’ve read, and I definitely love books with lots of humor in them, but I don’t think it was meant to be funny. It’s about slavery, after all, so it’s pretty serious. It was set during the time of the Civil War. The main character, Solomon, is a free black man from New York. The ironic thing is that even though Simon is a free man, he is kidnapped and forced to be a slave in the South. It’s so frustrating to see how much he wants to get in touch with his family but can’t because he can’t trust just anyone to deliver mail or messages to them!
I thought this was a great book. I learned a lot while I was reading it and thought a lot about it after I was done. And even though it was as educational as a school book, it wasn’t just a list of facts. Stolen Into Slavery really grabbed my attention right away because it was about a specific person and his life. It has probably been my favorite to review too!
BOOK NAME: Chains
AUTHOR: Laurie Halse Anderson
Isabel, the main character in this book, is headstrong and hopeful during times of struggle. Chains, a historical fiction book written by Laurie Halse Anderson tells Isabel’s story. This book shows that if you have determination, even when there are lots of challenges, you can still succeed.
After their mother died, Isabel, a young slave girl, is sold along with her sister Ruth to cruel masters, the Locktons. Here, as a slave during the Revolutionary War in New York, she is forced to do various chores for her Loyalist owners. She, however, understands the true cruelty of Madam Lockton when they sell Ruth away from Isabel. Isabel cannot bear this and therefore tries to run away. She is unable to and returns to the house. Also, Isabel has to make up her mind whether to favor the British or the Americans. She secretly helps out American prisoners including her friend Curzon. But, most of all, Isabel keeps on thinking about her freedom. Will she ever be able to earn it?
I would definitely suggest this exciting read to ages 10 and above. It is told from a slave, Isabel’s, point of view, giving an in-depth view into slavery. Also, this book portrays mood so strongly that you go through Isabel’s feelings and pain. Interestingly, the book is written in journal form and at the beginning of every chapter there is a quote which I liked to read. After reading this book, I’m definitely going to read its sequel Forge.
Want another opinion? Read Sheila’s review!
Posted by BOOK NAME: Chains
AUTHOR: Laurie Halse Anderson
Chains takes place during the Revolutionary War, a time in history when we were trying to make our own country. This is a story about one particular African slave, Isabel, who fights unfair circumstances and treatment. During these trying times, she questions herself and her life, and has many doubts. Isabel lives with her owner and is set to be freed upon the owner’s death. However, she is sold to cruel, unpleasant people who are loyal to the British. Since this story takes place in New York City while the war is happening, Isabel has a front row seat to lots of action. She faces much danger, but does her part to fight for both her freedom and that of her new country.
One time as a punishment, she is given a scar on her cheek in the shape of the letter S. The S stands for insolence and it causes her much humiliation. But after all her trials, she begins to take pride in the letter and says it really stands for Isabel. The story ends with a surprise, so I wont’ give it away, but I can tell you to never give up! I learned from Isabel that there is always hope, even in the bleakest situations. In fact, hope may be the only thing you have to get you through difficult times.
I really like historical fiction because you get a better insight as to the issues people faced during a specific time period. In Chains, you can better appreciate the horrors of both slavery and war. I also chose this book because it was nominated for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award and these books are always a good read. This is one of the better books I’ve read, so I really wanted to stay up all night to finish it. I think everyone should read this book to see the mistakes of the past so we can avoid making them in the future.
Posted by BOOK NAME: The Kidnapped Prince
AUTHOR: Olaudah Equino
ADAPTED BY: Ann Cameron
In 1755 a young African boy, Olaudah Equino, was kidnapped from his people and sold into slavery. Never being exposed to any other people or cultures other than his own village, this frightened him greatly. His first taste of the world was the bitter and cruel ways of the white people, beating people of other races and treating them like animals. As Olaudah serves as a slave for most of his life, he learns the difference between right and wrong in many instances. On his journey to earning back the freedom he should’ve already had Olaudah travels halfway around the world, experiencing things that made him famous.
This was a book I was to read as part of my world history for school. I wouldn’t have picked this book off of a shelf and read it willingly, but I’m rather glad I did. Although the book is historical fiction and my tastes tend to lean more to the ‘steampunk’ style, I enjoyed it and actually learned some things from it. I was happy to read a book that featured slavery from the view of an actual slave. Olaudah Equino wrote his autobiography and it became a best-seller. Later, author Ann Cameron edited his biography to a story that could be enjoyed by all ages.
The Kidnapped Prince is a short chapter book, each chapter being about two pages long. I recommend this to anyone who can read and even to those, like myself, who have no interest in the history of slavery. This short read with increase your knowledge in slavery and peak your interests greatly, leaving you wanting more.
