Priscilla and the Hollyhocks (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Anna Alter (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: Old Sylvia

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When Priscilla’s mother is sold to a new owner and the two are separated, the young slave girl finds solace in her mother’s hollyhock patch. As she grows older, the kind words of a white businessman, Basil Silkwood, instill in Priscilla a desire to attend school, but she is soon sold to a Cherokee family, and her life of servitude continues. As the family embarks on the grueling journey west, known as the 1838 “Trail of Tears,” she again meets the compassionate Silkwood, who purchases her freedom. Alter’s appealing acrylic illustrations, rendered in single- and double-page spreads and framed close-ups, elevate the emotion of the story and echo the flattened perspective and thick outlines of folk art. Based on real events, Broyles’ poetic and colloquial narrative, voiced by a grown Priscilla, ends with the girl sowing the seeds of her mother’s hollyhocks near her new home with the Silkwoods and an author’s note detailing the historical basis of the story. Grades 2-4. --Kristen McKulski

Review

"Priscilla and the Hollyhocks tells a story too often ignored or overlooked--a story of how the west was not won but captured. Reading about Priscilla's remarkable life makes all our hearts a bit warmer while filling our heads with a much-needed piece of American history."

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (January 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570916756
• ISBN-13: 978-1570916755
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #418,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Priscilla and the Hollyhocks, May 16, 2008

By	Kirsten G. Cutler (Santa Rosa, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant Priscilla, February 8, 2008

By	Marina S. Salenikas "Marina Salenikas (M" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story!, March 26, 2009

By	'Suits' author "Mamacita" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

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.