Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom [Hardcover]

Charles A. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2002

'JUNETEENTH: A Celebration of Freedom' effectively conveys the jubilation that occurred on June 19, 1865 when African American people in Texas were the last to be freed from the horrors of U.S. slavery, a full two months after the end of the Civil War and more than two years after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Dr. Taylor's 32-page book, full of colorful illustrations, archival photographs, and historical documents, makes the information about Juneteenth accessible for readers aged ten and up.

Juneteenth is the oldest African American celebration in the United States and is quickly becoming one of the most popular holidays observed by Black Americans. Seven states (TX, OK, FL, DE, AK, ID, and IA) have already made Juneteenth a holiday--with more to come.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Taylor provides in-depth coverage of the day that commemorates General Order No. 3 of June 19, 1865, formally emancipating Texans of African descent. His frank discourse on the history of slavery in the U.S. facilitates a fuller appreciation of Juneteenth. He discusses its meaning and gives examples of celebrations from 1866 to the present. Informative, documented black-and-white photos and reproductions supplement the text. The cover is busy and unappealing, but the attractively bordered pages and enthusiastic writing compensate for this drawback. Even libraries that own Muriel Miller Branch's Juneteenth: Freedom Day (Dutton, 1998) will want this well-researched and engaging study. Though the former title has better photographs and an attractive cover, Taylor's offering is better organized and includes additional material, such as the Emancipation Proclamation.
Ajoke' T. I. Kokodoko, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"'JUNETEENTH:A Celebration of Freedom'...is educational for all people and age groups." -- Gladys Smiley Bell: President, Black Caucus of the American Library Association

"Dr. Taylor's book and poignant illustrations provide pertinent historical information about Juneteenth for future generations to enjoy." -- Reverend Ronald "Doc" Myers, Sr., M.D.: Founder of the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign

"We celebrate our beginnings with Charles Taylor. In 'JUNETEENTH,' illustrations rejoice and dance with the text of history." -- E. Ethelbert Miller: Celebrated poet and author of "where are the love poems for dictators?"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Open Hand Pub Llc; 1 edition (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940880687
• ISBN-13: 978-0940880689
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,811,474 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 U.S. History Re-Explained, July 2, 2002

By 

Sarah L. Gibson (Greensboro, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom (Hardcover)

There are many books on Juneteenth, but none so informative and accessible for both kids and adults as this one. Learn why the Emancipation Proclamation did not free any slaves and other things not often taught in school. Great book for anyone interested in United States history. Very colorful.