Sound the Jubilee [Hardcover]

Sandra Forrester (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1995 | Age Level: 11 and up

During the Civil War, Maddie, a young slave girl, and her family escape to freedom on Roanoke Island, where they and three thousand other former slaves develop an experimental community that ekes out a harsh existence as an island colony.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-Growing up on a plantation in North Carolina, Maddie is owned by the McCarthas. She works in the Big House with her mother and sister, while her father, Titus, is foreman of the field hands. Her family's opportunity for freedom comes unexpectedly. Fearing the approach of Yankee troops, Mrs. McCartha retreats to her summer home on Nags Head, an island off the coast, taking Maddie's family with her. That move puts them directly in the path of the invading army, and they are able to escape to the "contraband" camp on nearby Roanoke Island. There they are given their freedom, as well as land and jobs. Although living at first in unhealthy conditions and at the mercy of the Yankee army, they are sheltered from the worst of the war years. Forrester has created a feisty, intelligent character in Maddie; she's someone readers will enjoy getting to know. The author's use of a modified dialect adds substance to her characterizations. The story moves along smoothly and quickly and involves readers; it will help them better understand the Civil War era and the complicated issues of the time. A great deal of detail is incorporated into the narrative about the community on Roanoke Island. Sure to be popular with history buffs and fans of historical novels.
Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Like Myers' The Glory Field (1994), this is a docunovel in which the history is much more interesting than the fiction. Forrester writes about a community of runaway slaves who have found freedom and land on Roanoke Island during the Civil War. The focus is on young Maddie and her family, first on the old plantation and then as they escape to the island, set up homes, and find schools and paid work there. Maddie's personal coming-of-age story seems contrived at times, especially her conflict with her mother and their later reconciliation. But the story gives a vivid sense of the times, both the sorrow and the triumph: no graciousness in the big house or coziness in the quarters, but savagery for the runaway who was caught. Maddie's courage and intelligence help her make it, but there's no happily-ever-after ending. Some Yankees were as bigoted as their enemies, and after the war, the runaways were driven off the island. Forrester has rescued a forgotten piece of history. Hazel Rochman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525674861
• ISBN-13: 978-0525674863
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,235,899 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:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great story about a girl's escape from slavery., August 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sound the Jubilee (Mass Market Paperback)

Sound The Jubilee is a great book. Maddie, an 11 year old slave girl, suddenly finds herself and her family free on Roanoke Island. As they start to adjust to a life of freedom, Maddie learns that all people have their good points, and their bad points. I would recommend this book to a friend. One reason is because it told about the life of slaves and most important it explains human nature. I think this is a great book and I'm glad I read it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good book, February 3, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sound the Jubilee (Mass Market Paperback)

The plot of the story Sound the Jubilee has four surprising events. First, one of the mistress's son dies at war, leaving the other to fend for himself. This causes much fear of the Yankees in the mistress. Finally, one day when the mistress can't take the fear and pain from her son's death she takes her favorite slave family and goes to her summerhouse on Nags Head, where her summerhouse is. After everyone gets calm and settled at the Nags Head house, Maddie's father, Titus, hears that the Yankees are on Roanoke Island. Last, the slave family decides to risk escaping in the night to Roanoke because of Titus's strong desire to be free. These are the four highpoints in the book Sound the Jubilee .

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sound the Jubilee, Doesn't Sound Good to Me..., September 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sound the Jubilee (Mass Market Paperback)

Sound the Jubilee is a story about a young slave girl named Maddie and her family who find freedom on North Carolina's Roanoke Island during the Civil War. I would not recommend this book to someone who enjoys action and cleverness because I feel the plot wasn't exciting enough for my taste. However, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys History because Sound the Jubilee is very accurate and a good example of a slaves life during the Civil War. Therefore, Sound the Jubilee was a good and well written book, but as you could say, it "wasn't up my alley".