A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War: The Diary of Charlotte Forten, 1854 (Diaries, Letters, and Memoirs) [Library Binding]

Charlotte L. Forten (Author), Kerry Graves (Author), Christy Steele (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1999 | Series: Diaries, Letters, and Memoirs

The diary of a sixteen-year-old free African American who lived in Massachusettts in 1854 records her schooling, participation in the antislavery movement, and concern for an arrested fugitive slave. Includes sidebars, activities, and a timeline related to this era.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-These selected excerpts from diaries capture the daily lives, events, and emotions of three young people who lived through the turbulent years before or during the Civil War. Introductory overviews are followed by portions of the individuals' diaries, interspersed with informative sidebars and insets, sepia-tinted photographs and full-color reproductions, a craft or cooking activity, and an abbreviated time line. Younger readers will identify most closely with Berry's words in A Confederate Girl because of her age (10) and writing style. Bircher's diary chronicles his life at the age of 15 while Forten's journal begins when she was 16. Whether chosen for assignment use or personal reading, these volumes will hold the interest of youngsters and help them understand and identify with the events, places, and people in history. Additionally, they will give students experience with primary-source materials and expand the portraits of young people as presented in such works as Jim Murphy's The Boys' War (Clarion, 1990) and Candice Ransom's Children of the Civil War (Carolrhoda, 1998).
Janie Schomberg, Leal Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Caroline Cowles Richards' A Nineteenth-Century Schoolgirl.

Gr. 4-8. These titles, part of the Diaries, Letters, and Memoirs series, attempt to introduce readers to the first-person accounts of actual Americans. Forten, a 16-year-old African American living in Massachusetts, describes her schooling, her participation in the antislavery movement, and her reactions to the capture and return of a fugitive slave. Richards, a 10-year-old living in western New York state, discusses her family and school life, daily activities in a small town, and her reactions to the burgeoning women's rights movement. Both volumes begin with an introduction explaining primary sources, and provide numerous sidebars that clarify terms or topics and offer related projects. The format, with many illustrations, is pleasing, and the use of two colors for the text clearly separates the primary material from the commentary. These are tailor-made for history lessons or creative writing classes exploring the diary form. For more titles, see the Series Roundup. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Blue Earth Books (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736803459
• ISBN-13: 978-0736803458
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable glimpse at 19th century African American life, November 17, 2000

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War: The Diary of Charlotte Forten, 1854 (Diaries, Letters, and Memoirs) (Library Binding)

I first encountered Charlotte Forten Grimke as an adult, when I read the hefty (more than 600 pages) edition of her journals published as part of the Schomburg Library of 19th Century Black Women Writers. I was captivated by her inquisitive mind and vivacious spirit, which clearly came through in her prose.

"A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War" is a selection from the journals of the young Charlotte Forten (Grimke was her married name), all written in 1854. These writings offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of an educated free black girl during the era of slavery. We learn about Charlotte's love for nature, her participation in abolitionist activities, her admiration for the pioneering African American poet Phillis Wheatley, and other topics. Editor Christy Steele and company have provided a rich and colorful assortment of study aids: photographs and illustrations from Charlotte's era, a map of the "Underground Railroad," a timeline, and other resources. At 32 pages, the book is a lot less intimidating than the adult version which I first read!

The book also encourages its young readers to start their own diaries, and offers some tips. A list of relevant Internet sites further adds to the interactive nature of the book. This is an outstanding book for younger readers. Adults who also enjoy it would be wise to seek out the Schomburg Library edition of Charlotte's journals, edited by Brenda Stevenson. Both versions of these historic documents are excellent contributions to the field of African American studies.