Customer Reviews

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks

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4 star:		(2)
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Broyles, Anne. Priscilla and the Hollyhocks. Illustrated by Anna Alter. Charlesbridge. 2008.

This is a poignant story about a young quadroon slave girl who loves hollyhocks because the flowers represent one strong memory she can hang onto of her mother who was sold away from her when she was a very young child. An old slave on the plantation "recollected me `twas Ma planted hollyhocks along the white picket fence by the cow pond" and shows Priscilla how to make the hollyhock dolls her mother enjoyed creating. Every Sunday, Priscilla hides among the hollyhocks, and lets her flower dolls "dance `cross the pond. My smile escaped at the joy of it." One day, a Mr. Silkwood who is visiting the plantation speaks to her; and then sadly pronounces that he does not believe in slavery, "A child like you deserves more." When her first owner dies, Priscilla is purchased by a Cherokee master, "Another plantation, same life. I learnt my duties in the Cherokee's house", and eventually ends up on the Trail of Tears with him when his family is forcibly evicted from their plantation. One day, Priscilla spots Mr. Silkwood standing outside a hotel in a town they are passing through, and asks him if, "there'll be a school for me where they're taking us?" She tells him that she needs "the promise of learnin' to help me walk those weary miles." Later that evening, Mr. Silkwood arrives at their encampment, and buys Priscilla from her Indian master. He sets her free, and she joins fifteen other orphans to become part of the Silkwood family. Lovely illustrations are created in acrylic: some show beautiful hollyhocks amid serene landscapes but one heartbreaking scene shows the brown hand of Priscilla's mother emerging from a wagon as she is being driven away from her daughter. The page opposite shows a half-frame with Priscilla standing sad and stunned- just watching as her mother vanishes. One double-spread shows people marching through deep snow, a soldier holding a gun with bayonet marches alongside. An author's note provides the historical context for this touching picture book that manages to juxtapose some of the horrors of slavery with the incredible facts of a happy ending for one young slave. Simple instructions for a hollyhock doll are included.

This is a wonderful book for ages 7-12, perhaps. I found it to be a good story, well written and great for its historic value. I have read it with my granddaughters and plan to plant some hollyhocks with them as soon as the weather permits. We will make dolls with them and read the book again. My granddaughters are home schooled so this is also school time for them.

Priscilla is a worthy successor to SHY MAMA'S HALLOWEEN. Anne Broyles has once again created a compelling character, made all the more captivating because the story is based on fact. Anna Alter's illustrations beautifully represent the pain and sadness and later hope that Priscilla experiences throughout her incredible story. This book is chock full of mini-lessons waiting for the classroom teacher to share with students. An added bonus for the happy readers and listeners is the description of the hollyhock doll and how to create one. This is the perfect book for a read-aloud cum craft project. Kudos to Broyles, who has done it once again. Marina Salenikas, Children's Librarian, North Andover, MA

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks is one of those rare stories which weaves together the horrendous capabilities of people with the strength of spirit and goodness people possess. As a parent, I find this story important for children so that conversations will ensue and so that we may never forget what we are capable of--both good and bad. A remarkable story of truth indeed.

My Review: This is a well written story based on facts. Anne Broyles takes us on a journey into Priscilla's childhood as she is sold from one family to another until she found Massa Silkwood who set her free and adopted her into his family of fifteen. Priscilla was not only saved by Mr. Silkwood but also by hollyhocks. Old Sylvia told her how her mother will make hollyhock dolls and set it to sail on the cow pond. When she watches her flower dolls float on the cow pond she felt her mother's smile. Is show how the flowers represented a strong memory of her mother who was sold when she was a very young child. Priscilla always had a hand full of seeds with her and planed them where ever she went. She was sold to a Cherokee family when her master died. Read about the brief history of the Cherokee as they were told to leave their homes and lands. Priscilla found freedom and a happy life thereafter. Great illustrations by Anna Alter which capture the story. I highly recommend this book for every schools and libraries.

FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

From a young girl as a slave at "the Big House" to a Cherokee Plantation and the Trail of Tears, Priscilla keeps her hollyhocks as home, scattering their seeds on her path to life. Just like her Ma, who planted hollyhocks by the white picket fence by Cow pond, Priscilla plants hollyhocks along the path to freedom, until she's safe at home. Children ages 5-8 will learn about the path to freedom with this story of one girl's hope.

Strength of character, dignity of spirit, power of hope. All of these, along with the author's exquisitely rendered sentences, each polished to its essence, bring Priscilla to life. Here is a girl I know will grow into a woman of quality, and I want to introduce her to boys and girls who will be changed for the better by meeting her, as I was. Yet the story isn't teachy or preachy, though it might teach or preach as another bonus of a good story told well.

As a 5th grade teacher I can see several uses for this book. It will lead to discussion of life as a slave, but also about the Cherokees and the Trail of Tears. It's another good example of Quaker beliefs, too, which I discuss when William Penn is brought up in colonial times. All done with a thread of hope for this little girl. Good read.

Anne Broyles infuses the true story of a young slave girl with emotion and hope. This book makes a wonderful gift for anyone with young children, local elementary schools, and local libraries as the story illustrates a very real chapter in American history and gives life to one of the many stories of children who were affected by this history. The book's illustrations are beautiful and add to the depth of the story.

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks by Anne Broyles, illustrated by Anna Alter
Anne Broyles has written a wonderful tale, based on a true story, about an African American slave torn from her mother's arms when only four years old. We follow Priscilla's childhood as she is sold to family after family as easily as one would buy new furniture. The only thing that gives her comfort, are the hollyhocks that remind her of her mother. In each new home, she plants hollyhock seeds and creates a refuge to hide in. She makes hollyhock dolls and floats them across the water, dreaming of home. But even when her Cherokee Indian master is forced to leave his own home and travel the "Trail of Tears", Priscilla remains their slave. It is only when she sees a white man from her youth, Basil Silkwood, that she sees an opportunity for a better life. She remembers that he had once told her that she should be in school. She runs to him, introduces herself and tells him, "I still want to learn". Mr. Silkwood buys Priscilla and sets her free, adopting her into his own large family of fifteen children.

Anne Broyles discovered the story of Priscilla while doing research for a YA book on the Cherokee Trail of Tears. It's a story of courage and strength as Priscilla plants her hollyhock seeds as she travels across the country.
"Wasn't much I wanted to `member from my first home but Ma. Pink hollyhocks kept her livin'. Surely if I thought on her, she might think on me, too, where'er she was."
Anne has done a wonderful job of capturing a complicated story in simple phrases and uncomplicated language. We fall in love with her character immediately while learning about how complicated slavery could be in America.
Anna Alter does an amazing job with the illustrations, creating a gentle folk art style, while still giving illustration to a horrific time in our history.

This book includes instructions for making a hollyhock doll and an author's note that talks about the true story of Priscilla Silkwood. To celebrate the book's release, there will be some partying going on for those of you in the Boston area.
Saturday, February 9, 1 p.m. (Anna and Anne)
Book launch--Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA
Saturday, February 16, 3 p.m. (Anna and Anne)
Book launch--Jamaicaway Books Jamaica Plain, MA
Wednesday, February 20, noon (Anne)
Boys and Girls Club, Lawrence, MA
Saturday, March 1, 12-2 p.m. (Anne)
Borders Books, Methuen, MA
Tuesday, March 4th, Time TBA (Anna)
Valente Branch of the Cambridge Public Library
Wednesday, March 5, 10 a.m.-noon (Anne)
South Elementary School, Andover, MA--SAIL event
Saturday, March 15, 11a.m.-1 p.m. (Anne)
Book signing at Annie's Books, North Andover, MA
Saturday, March 29, 2 p.m. (Anne)
Multi-Author Book Launch--First UU Church, Belmont, MA
Saturday, April 12 (Anna)