by Monica Lakhwani

Created on: August 31, 2009   Last Updated: September 01, 2009

This informative and affective book focuses on slavery prior to the Civil War. It is a great alternative for adolescent readers one that can provide them with a historical perspective as they learn about slavery and the many themes that are related to it including courage, fear, despair, etc... The book wraps itself around issues of freedom and death as well as emotions of hope, pain, and hate. Its an extroardinary example of how power, control, and colonization are initially at the heart of the issue. As we read deeper into the story, we begin to understand the problems that arise as this form of superiority reigns in prejudice and oppression. Many themes related to slavery also exist in the social lives of our adolescents today.

Stereotyping and discrimination become evident not only in text but also the world around us. The writer has done a wonderful job developing a character which comes to life for its readers. Looking back into slavery provides an opportunity for readers to gain a better understanding of our history from a child's perspective. Often books written from a time period different than our own can become difficult to relate to. It allows for young readers to experience diversity in their young lives so that they may see more similarities than they do differences and are able to connect with the character. The writer makes this possible so that it is not just a question of black and white...its a quest into a rainbow of colors and situations. Furthermore, used in classrooms, the book provide students such a perspective through a culturally relevant pedagogy.

Three of the characteristics of culturally relevant pedagogy which Geneva Gay writes about in Culturally Responsive Teaching are multidimensional, empowering, and validating. This book incorporates all three. Being multidimensional, adolescent readers can look into their own beliefs, values, and opinions as they view facts in the book developed around log entries. Being empowering, all readers can reflect upon their own experiences and learn to take pride in every aspect of life which becomes history especially when they take a look at strength of the main character. And for validation, used as a study, this book can be used with appeal to many different learning styles and multiple intelligences. The book demonstrates uses of thought, writing, reading, questioning, and sharing. Reading how Harriet Jacobs goes through her journey from slavery to freedom reinforces the saying that childhood should be a journey and not a race.

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