Customer Reviews

Building a New Land: African Americans in Colonial America (From African Beginnings: the African-American Story)

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This book chronicles African American colonial history. It tells of individuals and events. There is a timeline at the end. This is the third in a series that may grow to include six volumes. The acrylic paintings illustrate the text. ... Although this is an important book, filling a historical void, its use may be limited. The book has the size and look of a picture book, but the content is mature and the text is college level. It is listed for grades 2-5, in my opinion it is neither read alone nor read aloud for that group. Perhaps teachers could use it as a source.

This is a wonderful book about the origins of slavery during the colonial period and how it developed into the institution it later began. I have read much of this history in adult books but never in a child's book. It's great to be reminded of that history and be able to share it with students who do not know that history. We as teachers often are unaware of the history of slavery in America except the last 10 -15 years of it. In the colonial period, it is rarely dealt with or barely dealt with. I do agree with the previous reviewer that the age group he or she intended it for wasn't appropriate but it is a great book for middle school students and high elementary students in small doses. At the middle school level, the book makes a good read aloud by chapter and as an independent read to supplement social studies lessons.