. . . If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America (Paperback)

~ (Author), Pamela Johnson (Author)
Key Phrases: United States, Big House, Harriet Tubman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It is hard to imagine that, once, a person in America could be "owned" by another person. But from the time the colonies were settled in the 1600s until the end of the Civil War in 1865, millions of black people were bought and sold like goods.

Where did the slaves come from? Where did they live when they were brought to this country? What kind of work did they do? With compassion and respect for the enslaved, this book answers questions children might have about this dismal era in American history.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (February 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439567068
• ISBN-13: 978-0439567060
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,334 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #12 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > 1800s
  #15 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Science > Customs, Traditions, Anthropology
  #22 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > People of Color

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly comprehensive, February 15, 2006

By	AfroAmericanHeritage (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This surprisingly comprehensive little book addresses over 40 questions children would dream up about a slave's life...and a few they wouldn't. What did slaves wear? What did they eat? Would you live with your father and mother? What if your father belonged to another slave owner? Did the children have to work? What games did they play? Were any black people free? While the answers are by necessity simplified for the targeted age group (9-12) the content is honest and relatively thorough. I think this provides an excellent foundation for helping children understand this sad time in American history. Includes web and physical addresses of seven historic/interpretive sites.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America by Anne Kamma & Pamela Johnson, December 7, 2007

By	D. Jones "Suffolk" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is simply incredible! My daughter read this book and was fascinated by the details that helped her understand how people really lived during slavery times. This book sparked such an interest in understanding her history until she is constantly reading and requesting more information about the struggles of African Americans. The book also makes for good conversations and an understanding of how obstacles and the struggles are life should be used to motivate us to seek better things in life. As an African American mother, it is absolutely necessary that our children be given all the tools to survive. This book helps them understand the importance of making the best of any kind of situation that you are placed in and always striving for something better!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honestly answers some very difficult questions., October 1, 2007

By	J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Young readers will come away from If you Lived When There Was Slavery in America with an I-was-there knowledge of the history and lives of slaves in America. Some of the information is especially interesting, since it comes directly from slave narratives or diaries. The story of Robert Glen's secret education from an owner's son and Emma Knight's report of sobbing in pain because of having no shoes in the freezing cold will stimulate genuine understanding, classroom discussion and a desire for further study.

I highly recommend this wonderful book.