The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox, is a 1974 Newbery Medal winner. Set in 1840, 13 year old Jessie Bollier lives a simple but relatively safe childhood. He plays his fife down on the docks in New Orleans for a few pennies which helps supports his mother and sister. Sometimes, out of idle curiosity, he [...]
In the past few months we have witnessed a major historical event in the United States with the election and inauguration of the 44th president Barack Obama. In celebration of Black History Month how could I not review at least one book about President Obama? I’ve been reading a lot of books about slavery and [...]
The Well by Mildred D. Taylor is a prequel to Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry (which I haven’t read since I was little but have hopes of maybe getting to this month). Set in Mississippi in 1910, slavery is still fresh in everybody’s mind. David’s father has worked hard and their family owns 400 [...]
Freedom Walkers, The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman has been on my radar forever. I’ve checked it out from the library at least three times but this time I was finally able to sit down and read it. And I cried. I love books like this. I don’t know if it’s [...]
Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen is a very slim 92 pages. But in those 92 pages, you will be cringing, covering your mouth in horror and squeezing your eyes shut so you won’t be able to read the words. At least that’s what I did. What a raw look into pre-Civil War slavery. Sarny is twelve [...]
