Almost to Freedom (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) [School & Library Binding]

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (Author), Colin Bootman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books

Tells the story of a young girl's dramatic escape from slavery via the Underground Railroad, from the perspective of her beloved rag doll.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-A compelling story told from the point of view of an enslaved child's beloved rag doll. Made for young Lindy by her mama, Miz Rachel, the hand-stitched toy is the girl's most prized possession. She tells her, "Your name be Sally. We gonna be best friends." When the child's father is sold and Lindy is beaten for asking Massa's son how to spell her name, the horrid conditions of the cotton plantation become intolerable. One night Miz Rachel wakes Lindy and they run for their lives. They are reunited with Mr. Henry and the fugitive family heads North to freedom. They are given shelter at a station on the Underground Railroad, but must flee from slave catchers in the middle of the night. In the frantic scramble, Sally is left behind. The doll is lonely for her friend and worries for the safety of Lindy and her folks. When another child and her mother are sheltered in the basement, the doll joins her new best friend on her trip to Freedom. This accessible story is told in language that is within the experience of a young child and makes its impact without frightening or overwhelming readers. It is ultimately a story of hope and resilience, love and friendship. The evocative oil paintings are expertly rendered and effectively convey the powerful emotions of the tale. A fine addition to most collections.
Luann Toth, School Library Journal
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. Lindy's beloved rag doll, Sally, tells how Lindy's family escapes on the Underground Railroad to find freedom "in a place called North." The doll's narrative and Bootman's dark, dramatic paintings bring close the child's daily experience: the cruel separation and physical punishment, and then the adventure of running away and hiding. At times it's hard to distinguish Sally from Lindy--why not just let the child tell the story herself? But then there's an anguished twist in the plot: the child and her doll are separated. Lindy gets away, but in the turmoil she leaves her doll behind. When another escaping child finds Sally and hugs her to herself, the story comes full circle. That's a powerful way to express the sorrow of loving families torn apart, and Bootman's stirring portraits, many of them set at night, in rich shades of purple and brown, show that the small rag doll bears witness to historical events of cruelty and courage. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 40 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157505342X
• ISBN-13: 978-1575053424
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #625,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sally's tale, December 31, 2004

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almost to Freedom (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) (School & Library Binding)

"Almost to Freedom," by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, is illustrated by Colin Bootman. The story is set during the era of American slavery. The book's narrator is Sally, a black rag doll owned by Lindy, a slave girl on a Virginia plantation. Through Sally's eyes we see the odyssey of Lindy and her family.

The story is told in vernacular English; for example, Sally declares, "Bein' Lindy's doll baby is a right important job." The atmospheric, colorful illustrations effectively enhance the emotions of the story.

Particularly interesting is an "Author's Note" at the end of the book in which Nelson explains how she was inspired to write this story. Telling the story from the doll's point of view is a memorable and effective device which contributes greatly to the success of this moving and beautifully illustrated book. "Almost to Freedom" is a powerful use of African-American history in a children's book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Telling a story honestly and with verve, February 6, 2004

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almost to Freedom (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) (School & Library Binding)

Some stories have to be told over and over, every which way possible, in order to drill their history home. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson has penned an exciting tale of escape and freedom, set before the Civil War. Children's picture books that follow the lives of slaves always run the risk of watering down their material. It is exceedingly difficult to tell a story about slavery to little kids without making light of the nasty aspects of it. In this book, however, Nelson has adeptly told a story of escape through the eyes of a rag doll owned by a little runaway slave girl. She has done this without compromising any of the uglier aspects of the time, while softening the point of view to that of an inanimate object.

Matching Nelson's sure-footed storytelling come the illustrations of Colin Bootman. His painting style uses thick oils and paints that somehow manage to convey emotion and depth. And just for the record, the father of the little girl who owns the doll is probably one of the hottest men ever to grace the pages of a picture book. I'm not kidding. Go out, find this book, look at her dad, and tell me he's not absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Wowzer.

In and of itself, this book is well-made but not extraordinary. However, Nelson has included a couple instructional tidbits at the back of the book for further contemplation and understanding. In an author's note, she tells how she came up with the idea of the story. Kids can see a photograph of a real black rag doll form the 1800s. Then Nelson explains what the Underground Railroad was and how it worked. Finally, a glossary of terms that kids might not be familiar with (dear = expensive) is included for a final considerate touch. It is not a book that will necessarily blow you away, but "Almost to Freedom" accomplishes the difficult task of telling a fearful story in a manner appropriate for the young. No small task.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!, September 11, 2003

By 

KRS "K.R.S." (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Almost to Freedom (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) (School & Library Binding)

This story will bring many a tear to your eye. It is a wonderful story that shows children what it was like to run away from slavery. Good story and great illustrations!