From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9-The compelling story of a man and his family torn apart by slavery. Fradin begins the account in 1806 when Peter Still and his brother Levin were taken from a plantation in Maryland and sold as house slaves to a Mr. Fisher in Lexington, KY. He follows Peter Still's story for the next half of a century as he sought to earn his freedom and reunite his family. The author incorporates dialogue attributed to firsthand 19th-century printed sources, some written by Still family members. Unfortunately, in some instances, the inclusion of these passages is awkward and they fail to flow seamlessly with the facts. The black-and-white sketches, maps, and reproductions of historical documents are of interest and value. A useful choice that addresses slavery in 19th-century America and the Abolitionist Movement.
Toniann Scime, Amherst Museum, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Toniann Scime, Amherst Museum, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 6-12. Fradin has written more than just a solid biography of slave Peter Still. His book is an engrossing saga that is both sweeping and intensely personal, including information from several books (some written by the Stills themselves), historical documents, and interviews with descendants who regularly reunite. He begins with statistics that show the number of free African Americans throughout U.S. history, even before the Civil War. He then uses Still's story to offer a more multidimensional look at slavery and the pursuit of freedom than is covered in many history books. Character descriptions are kept to a minimum. Yet personalities and their role in family history emerge clearly from this story of relatives divided, in search of reunion and honor in the face of adversity. Fradin's straightforward style and sometimes stoic prose work well here, as he allows the traumatic experiences themselves to generate drama and ignite compassion. An account that remains strong to the very last page. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
