Category: Freedom | Page 2 | "Brown Like Me" Books

January 1, 2021

Every year Haitians around the world celebrate New Years Day by eating freedom soup. This year young Belle learns to make freedom soup with her grandmother who not only explains the history of the soup but also shares the history of their family and their Haitian culture. I was intrigued by the historical details included in the Author’s Note and I appreciate the addition of a modified recipe of freedom soup so that readers can also enjoy this special Haitian New Years Day tradition! Read more >>

Buy the Book: Freedom Soup

Originally posted on January 1, 2021.

November 15, 2019

Climbing Lincoln’s Steps ~ Suzanne Slade

Climbing Lincoln’s Steps

Written by Suzanne Slade

Illustrated by Colin Bootman

Every year millions of people climb the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. They come to see the statue of Abraham Lincoln, a man who inspired change. This book celebrates the changes that great men and women have made in order bring equality and unity to America. From Abraham Lincoln to Dr. Martin Luther King to President Barack Obama, change continues to happen, one step at a time. Read more >>

Buy the Book: Climbing Lincoln’s Steps

Originally posted on November 15, 2019.

July 20, 2019

Stitchin’ and Pullin’ ~ Patricia C. McKissack

Stitchin’ and Pullin’

Written by Patricia C. McKissack

Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

For hundreds of years, the women of Gee’s Bend have quilted together…stitchin’ and pullin’. Baby Girl anxiously awaits the day that she is able to join in at the quilting frame. This book chronicles her story of joining in with the other women and puzzling her quilt together piece by piece. She takes old clothes, handkerchiefs, and tablecloths to use for her quilt and remembers the stories behind each swatch of fabric.

The book parallels the progress of quilting with that of the freedom struggle of Baby Girl’s ancestors. As a young girl, my daughter enjoyed the book. She asked questions about some of the issues raised in the book, but by the end, she wanted to cut up her clothes to make her own quilt so that (in her own words), she “can remember.” The book does address issues of slavery, which may be inappropriate for younger children. Read more >>

Buy the Book: Stitchin’ and Pullin’

Originally posted on May 26, 2018.

June 4, 2019

Meet Addy ~ Connie Porter

Meet Addy

Written by Connie Porter

Illustrated by Dahl Taylor

This is an American Girl chapter book that I used as a read-aloud with my daughter when she was younger. This is the first book in the series about Addy. Set in the year 1864, the book details Addy and her mother’s escape from slavery in North Carolina and their experiences of freedom in Philadelphia. My daughter enjoyed this book. It was her first “look” at slavery and she had lots of questions. She was excited to move on to Book Two to read more about Addy’s life. Read more >>

Buy the Book: Meet Addy

Originally posted on June 4, 2018.

April 6, 2019

Brick by Brick ~ Charles R. Smith Jr.

Brick by Brick

Written by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Did you know that slaves helped build the original White House? This book, along with the commentary at the end of the book, chronicle what it was like for these men and children who labored to construct the president’s home, brick by brick. With the same hands that built the exterior, the slaves learned new skills, like cabinetry, as they finished the inside. Using these newly acquired skills, many of the slaves were eventually able to purchase their freedom. Read more >>

Buy the Book: Brick by Brick

Originally posted on April 6, 2019.

February 13, 2019

Addy Learns a Lesson ~ Connie Porter

Addy Learns a Lesson

Written by Connie Porter

Illustrated by Dahl Taylor

My daughter loved reading her “Addy” books. I used to read the series aloud to her at night. This is the second book in the series. In this book Addy and her mother make it to Philadelphia and begin their new life of freedom. However, freedom is not quite all that Addy expected. However, Addy makes friends and starts going to school. While in school Addy learns a hard lesson about real friendship.

Like I mentioned, my daughter loved when I read from this series. However, something that sort of bothered me was the authenticity of the language. In and of itself, it is not problematic if you look at it from a historical standpoint. However, the teacher in me just will not let me read with improper English. So, I did find that I automatically corrected the grammar as I read. But, other than that, we enjoyed the series! Read more >>

Buy the Book: Addy Learns a Lesson

Originally posted on August 14, 2010.