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honeycoveredpages's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
kidlitlove's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful book! I am so glad to finally have read this story. It is a Black folktale from the days of enslavement. It tells about enslaved people who have the power to fly, up and flying away from enslavement. I have read so many other books that reference this folktale. It is good to finally read it. I have to find some upper elementary students to share this with.
erine's review against another edition
5.0
A sober portrayal of slavery and the stories that kept people free in their minds if nowhere else. It's easy to see how the story of a flying people, who could fly away from slavery and forced labor, would capture the imagination of anyone unable to run, much less fly, away from horrific conditions. This tale might have inspired some of those in pursuit of freedom to try to escape, but it's also easy to interpret this as those who escape their conditions through death. Or even those who do not meaningfully physically escape, but who simply remove their minds from their reality and dream of something better and pass those dreams on. Regardless of interpretation, it's a dark reality being portrayed through this folktale.
The illustrations reflect that same stark reality.
The illustrations reflect that same stark reality.
bantwalkers's review
4.0
Really great to read the folktales, but also have context and history. This is a really nice collection.
ctay's review
4.0
The dialect was too difficult for my dyslexia so I had to find the audiobook. The writing is great and we loved these stories.
zombiezami's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, and Colonisation
flying_monkeys's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
"These tales were created out of sorrow. But the hearts and minds of the black people who formed them, expanded them, and passed them on to us were full of love and hope. We must look on the tales as a celebration of the human spirit." (from the Introduction)
Offers a varied selection of tale types with some repetition among the individual stories. Tales are divided into: He Lion, Bruh Bear, and Bruh Rabbit And Other Animal Tales; The Beautiful Girl of the Moon Tower And Other Tales of the Real, Extravagant, and Fanciful; John and the Devil's Daughter And Other Tales of the Supernatural; Carrying the Running-Aways And Other Slave Tales of Freedom.
Highly recommended to all ages. Though, if you're able to find it, I would go for the edition that includes the CD with narration by James Earl Jones. My library was unable to get that edition. :(
Purely for entertainment reasons, "The Peculiar Such Thing" was my favorite story. I could see folks telling that one at night sitting around the campfire. It felt like a tale that should've been included in the Scary Stories series from my tween/teen years.
Two stories really nailed the real-life origins of folktales: the first was "Carrying the Running-Aways" because it is such a personal story to Hamilton's own family history. The second, "The People Could Fly," packed serious emotional punch. A powerful way to end the collection.
4 stars
(Only reason not 5 stars is that I wish the illustrations had been in color like the cover was.)
Offers a varied selection of tale types with some repetition among the individual stories. Tales are divided into: He Lion, Bruh Bear, and Bruh Rabbit And Other Animal Tales; The Beautiful Girl of the Moon Tower And Other Tales of the Real, Extravagant, and Fanciful; John and the Devil's Daughter And Other Tales of the Supernatural; Carrying the Running-Aways And Other Slave Tales of Freedom.
Highly recommended to all ages. Though, if you're able to find it, I would go for the edition that includes the CD with narration by James Earl Jones. My library was unable to get that edition. :(
Purely for entertainment reasons, "The Peculiar Such Thing" was my favorite story. I could see folks telling that one at night sitting around the campfire. It felt like a tale that should've been included in the Scary Stories series from my tween/teen years.
Two stories really nailed the real-life origins of folktales: the first was "Carrying the Running-Aways" because it is such a personal story to Hamilton's own family history. The second, "The People Could Fly," packed serious emotional punch. A powerful way to end the collection.
4 stars
(Only reason not 5 stars is that I wish the illustrations had been in color like the cover was.)
tyrannosaurus_lex's review
4.0
Folk tales in the feel of oral tradition—a must read for middle grade students with guidance to discuss the heavier themes and history woven throughout the stories.