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Young Reading: Learning about the fight for freedom
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Published: February 22, 2009
Monica: Kilby had an assignment on Brown v. Board of Education and the case's role in desegregating schools. Our children listened with eyes wide and mouths in round shapes of disbelief as their dad shared stories of what his mom witnessed during this time in the venerable Murphy High School in Mobile, Ala.
Hannah: When my grandmother was in high school in Alabama, schools were just beginning to desegregate. Snipers were on the roof of her high school, prepared for violent protestors. Policemen were there to escort the new students into the building. Tonight at dinner, my dad told us about her stories of how scary it was for all of the students --black and white.
THE DOOR OF NO RETURN. By Sarah Mussi. Simon & Schuster. Ages 12 and up. 394 pages. $17.99.
Rarely do you see the topic of Africans sold into slavery turned into an action-adventure/fantasy novel. Typically, the topic lends itself more to heart-rending historical fiction. The Door of No Return is a fast-paced, surprising plot featuring the descendant of an African prince who became a slave. Zac Baxter's grandfather always babbled about "missing treasure" and a map passed down through generations from their ancestor, the son of a king from Ghana.
Zac dismissed his grandfather's prattle until his grandfather was murdered and his important papers and information stolen. Suddenly, Zac believes and has to stay one step ahead of the people who think he now has the map and an idea of where the treasure -- gold meant to be ransom to buy back the prince -- may be hidden in Ghana.
Set in London and Africa with nods to the prince's journey to Jamaica to become enslaved, the book resonates with the historical aspects of slavery and how African families were ripped apart and sent to new lands. Not only does this masterful book tie in action, fantasy and history, but it also has believable contemporary dialogue and characterization.
CHAINS. By Laurie Halse Anderson. Simon & Schuster. Ages 10 and up. 316 pages. $16.99.
We've never been disappointed by Laurie Halse Anderson (wait until you read her Wintergirls, a story about anorexia, coming out in March). Chains ranks as one of our favorites. The book follows the story of Isabel, a young slave who longs to be free, as tensions rise and the Revolutionary War begins. Isabel's life is heartbreaking, yet she does not allow her circumstances or hardships to chain her spirit.
The death of her mother and then that of her first owner could have crippled Isabel -- after all, freedom was promised by her mistress and yanked away by the heir to the estate. Isabel must care for her special-needs younger sister while adhering to her new mistress's every whim. The new owners are loyal to Britain, and Isabel enters into a dangerous mission of passing information to the troops seeking to establish America's freedom.
Isabel believes that mercy and freedom will come her way if she spies against the British. Instead, she is thwarted over and over. She is beaten and branded and loses her sister. Instead of losing her sense of self, Isabel becomes stronger as the city of New York becomes an important setting in the war. The author's notes contain excellent facts to use in a classroom setting or book-club meeting.
This book is well-written and an amazing piece of young-adult literature. It is also the first in a riveting series. We eagerly anticipate more from Laurie Halse Anderson!
THE SURRENDER TREE: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom. By Margarita Engle. Henry Holt. Ages 10 and up. 169 pages. $16.95.
Written in free-verse poetry written from several points of view, this is the story of an escaped slave, Rosario Castellanos Castellanos, known in Cuba as Rosa la Bayamesa. Rosa is viewed as a witch by her enemies and as an angel by the thousands she heals with her knowledge of herbs and flowers. The poems bring Rosa's mission to life and recreate her many years of caring for escaped slaves, wounded soldiers and diseased rebels fighting for Cuba's freedom.
This book highlights the intermingling of native Latin Americans with slaves brought from Africa as well as Europeans who chose Cuba as their new country. It is an eye-opening reminder that slaves in many countries fought for freedom. A poignant read, this would make an excellent selection for book clubs of any age.
A THOUSAND NEVER EVERS. By Shana Burg. Ages 12 and up. 301 pages. $15.99.
Addie Ann Pickett, a little black girl living in Mississippi during the early 1960s, tells the story of her family's fight for rights. College-bound Elias tries to protect his sister Addie Ann and her cat, Flapjack, from a group of white bullies. When Elias lashes out in defense, he breaks the star quarterback's leg. Elias flees and disappears, making it hard on his family. Addie Ann works with her mother as a maid and nanny for a white family, the Tates, who barely acknowledge their existence.
The black population of Addie Ann's little town in Mississippi is harassed by the Ku Klux Klan and others of the white people living amongst them. Addie Ann tries to keep an optimistic attitude but is troubled by the disparities she sees in her community.
A community garden, left to all of the people by the richest man in town, turns into a symbol of the black community's trying to reach equality and of the whites who want things to stay the same. The book is well written and true to the times, and Addie Ann's character stays committed to what is right.
■ Monica Young and Hannah Young can be reached at cyoung9@triad.rr.com. View book reviews at the Journal in Education site at www.jie.journalnow.com.
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