Child Out of Place: A Story of New England [Paperback]

Patricia Q. Wall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2004

The novel,CHILD OUT OF PLACE: A Story of New England,by Patricia Q. Wall with illustrations by Debby Ronnquist, introduces youngsters (age 10 & up) to a long neglected chapter in the history of enslaved Africans in America -- the New England chapter. Crafted in rich historical detail, this poignant story carries young readers back into the early 19th century, into an elegant old mansion in Portsmouth, NH, and into the troubled heart of ten-year-old Matty, servant and newly freed slave. Though serious in intent, this story has a lighthearted spirit that keeps youngsters,and even adults, eager for the next page. Based on thorough research, CHILD OUT OF PLACE provides parents and teachers with a gentle way to help youngsters understand; get classroom discussions going about a painful era in American history and its repercussions for today. New England's role in that era was different from that in the South, but most schoolbooks continue to ignore it. AND NOW, young Matty's story continues in the new sequel, BEYOND FREEDOM. A slightly older Matty faces new challenges in Boston, Massachusetts. Available on Amazon.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" How do you tell a child about slavery? CHILD OUT OF PLACE does it in a very compelling way." --Nashua Telegraph, July 18, 2004

"CHILD OUT OF PLACE is precious. It is a dear book, it truly is." --Mayor Evelyn Sirrell, Portsmouth Herald, July 22, 2004

"...thorough and carefully researched, a highly recommended portrayal of life as a slave in New England." --Midwest Book Review, April 2004

"CHILD OUT OF PLACE is precious. It is a dear book, it truly is." --Mayor Evelyn Sirrell, Portsmouth Herald, July 22, 2004

"...thorough and carefully researched, a highly recommended portrayal of life as a slave in New England." --Midwest Book Review, April 2004

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Fall Rose Books (January 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974218502
• ISBN-13: 978-0974218502
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,565,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible story, November 17, 2005

By 

Suzanne "Teacher Mama" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Child Out of Place: A Story of New England (Paperback)

Ms. Wall does a beautiful job of sharing a piece of our American history in a way that draws you in and makes you feel like you are a part of it all.
I found this to be a wonderful story and a gentler way of introducing my daughter to the horrible subject of slavery. Somehow she makes it easier for a child to understand and yet does not sugar coat the facts.
This book has earned a place on my shelf with other classics like Catcher in the Rye and Tom Sawyer. Thank you Ms. Wall for this wonderful book. We look forward to the next one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story and Author, July 11, 2005

By 

Kathi Echelberger "Kathi" (Laconia NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Child Out of Place: A Story of New England (Paperback)

We had the pleasure of meeting Ms Wall at our school when she came to do a reading of her book for us. It was a great tale with acurate historical events and places in NH. And the story was told in a way that the children actually got to "feel" what it was like to live in Matty's day and time, as well as the pressure of her circumstances of racial issues for that time.
I would Highly reccommend this book for older kids, as a great way to open up conversations about different things.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Forgotten Perspective on Slavery in America, September 5, 2010

By 

Poor Richard Web Press LLC "James Ward, Autho... - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Child Out of Place: A Story of New England (Paperback)

The story is a look into a part of the American slavery experience that is rarely talked about: the servitude of Africans in Northern States. Though her family was provided with freedom papers while she was a young girl, the story goes on to describe the implied slavery due to the fear of slave kidnapers as well as the caste-like system between blacks and whites in New England.

The author's intent, it seems, is to provide a book that can be easily read by fourth and fifth graders to provide them with a child's perspective of slavery and implied indenture of Africans in the early history of America. Using the 10-year old Matty to express her fear and hopes helps young readers to more easily identify with her situation, and this part of pre Civil War slavery history.

This book is a very well done introduction to the topic of slavery in the North, and provides an ideal framework for upper elementary and middle school teachers to facilitate discussion about slavery, freedom, hope and the perseverance of family dreams. It gives a voice to the many untold stories of slavery in New England. Patricia Wall also provides some nice resources and sources to allow readers to explore this topic a bit deeper. Being only 101 pages with medium size text, children from ages 8 to 12 should be able to read this book in one to three sittings.

James Ward, Author of Wealth Virtues