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vfred's review
3.0
Interesting, and a good length for the story within. I enjoyed the twists and turns and historical connection.
donalynbooks's review
5.0
Outstanding biography of Frederick Douglass by the late Walter Dean Myers. Powerful illustrations by Floyd Cooper.
mlhahn's review
4.0
Douglass is an important figure in American History. This book shows all he did, not just for blacks and slaves. There was a missed opportunity for an extended metaphor--the only reference to the subtitle comes at the very end of the book. I would have liked it to have been woven throughout the story.
danae_leu's review
5.0
A strong, succinct biography, pulling out key character traits and life events of an extraordinary life.
Also:
"An example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice. "
Also:
"An example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice. "
jrkrell's review
4.0
Simple introduction to Frederick Douglass, covers importance of reading, escape, support of women's rights, meeting with John Brown...
kylasedai's review
3.0
A very well-written retelling of the early life and career of Frederick Douglass. (It's light on a lot of what happened after his rise to fame, just giving broad sketches - so I can't quite call it a biography.) Of course, it's Walter Dean Myers, so of course the writing will be excellent. And the illustrations are absolutely stunning.
Included a few details I hadn't previously known, and provides a strong narrative arc focused on reading and the power of words.
Included a few details I hadn't previously known, and provides a strong narrative arc focused on reading and the power of words.
erine's review
4.0
My only complaint is at the end. There is a transcript of a document signed by Hugh Auld officially freeing Frederick Douglass. There is no mention of how Douglass, who escaped and was apparently living as a fugitive, came by this document, and I can only imagine that it is a fascinating story.
I think the entire book can be summed up by its last sentence: "His voice, born in the soft tones of the slave population, truly became a lion's roar." The story itself follows a muted beginning, and then picks up apace as Douglass gains confidence and ideas and agency and he seizes opportunities that come his way. A truly inspiring story, and I am so glad to be able to agree that "Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more."
I think the entire book can be summed up by its last sentence: "His voice, born in the soft tones of the slave population, truly became a lion's roar." The story itself follows a muted beginning, and then picks up apace as Douglass gains confidence and ideas and agency and he seizes opportunities that come his way. A truly inspiring story, and I am so glad to be able to agree that "Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more."
bickie's review
5.0
Narrative story of Frederick Douglass's life, focused on the time period between learning to read with Mrs. Auld to the passage of the 13th Amendment. Includes details about his thinking and resistance, including his fighting back against the "slave breaker" Edward Covey. Also includes details about how he escaped from Maryland to New York, highlights about the impact of his impactful speeches and storytelling, discussion of his speech at Seneca Falls, and a spread about his interaction with abolitionist John Brown. Text includes well-placed quotation marks such as around "owned" and "property" when describing enslaved people's relationships to their enslavers.
Cooper's illustrations nearly all center Douglass, and in many of them, he is the largest figure. In others, such as when he is talking with John Brown, he is depicted as an equal, considering what John Brown was saying.
Too much text for most read-aloud opportunities, but an excellent book for individual or group study.
Cooper's illustrations nearly all center Douglass, and in many of them, he is the largest figure. In others, such as when he is talking with John Brown, he is depicted as an equal, considering what John Brown was saying.
Too much text for most read-aloud opportunities, but an excellent book for individual or group study.
readwithpassion's review
5.0
We bought this book in 2017 when it first came out, and we read it again and again and again. My kids love to listen and learn about one of the most brilliant people to have ever lived. His story is incredibly inspiring. Even as a young boy, Douglass defied the world and never took no as an answer. The details of his story within this book show children (and adults) that they must push for what is right and commit to changing the world for the better. This book belongs in every classroom (and not just relegated to the classroom library). It should be shared collectively and purposefully with kids.
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=21437 (available after July 7, 2020)
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=21437 (available after July 7, 2020)