Author: Ashley Bryan
Illustrator: Ashley Bryan
Target Ages: 8 and up
Genre: Poetry Historical Fiction
Awards:
Coretta Scott King Author Honor, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, Newbery
Honor Book, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award
Publisher Summary:
Imagine being looked up and down and being valued as less than chair.
Less than an ox. Less than a dress. Maybe about the same as…a lantern.
You, an object. An object to sell.
In his gentle yet deeply powerful way, Ashley Bryan goes to the heart of how a slave is given a monetary value by the slave owner, tempering this with the one thing that CAN’T be bought or sold—dreams. Inspired by the actual will of a plantation owner that lists the worth of each and every one of his “workers,” Bryan has created collages around that document, and others like it.
You, an object. An object to sell.
In his gentle yet deeply powerful way, Ashley Bryan goes to the heart of how a slave is given a monetary value by the slave owner, tempering this with the one thing that CAN’T be bought or sold—dreams. Inspired by the actual will of a plantation owner that lists the worth of each and every one of his “workers,” Bryan has created collages around that document, and others like it.
Sample Lines:
from “Peggy Dreams”
My knowledge makes me
hunger for more.
Relieving the aches,
the pains,
the suffering
of the slaves
is my chief joy.
from “Athelia”
As slaves,
we do what our owners
expect and demand of
us.
As human beings,
our real lives are
our precious secret.
from “Mulvina Dreams”
Years of driven labor
have not driven
the ancestral thoughts
out of me.
My memories of teaching—
surrounded by children,
singing songs of our
history—
lives always with me.
Evaluation:
I began by listening to the audio book (which I recommend). I was immediately mesmerized by this narrative. The different voices bring
the characters to life. Then, I read the book again and again.
Author Ashley Bryan sketched out multidimensional characters based on a historical document he came across listing the financial assets of an antebellum south plantation which included several enslaved people. In this historical fiction work, the enslaved characters each have two poems. One
describes their role and life on the plantation. The other is a stream of conscious “dream”
revealing their inner desires and our common humanity.
In addition, the characters’ unique skills and talents as well as their love for others resonate beyond race, culture, and class. Their feelings of pride for who they are and what they add to the world round out their character profiles.
In addition, the poems illustrate the
importance of their African heritage.
Some of them were born in Africa, so they still have the memories. Those who are American born
are inspired by the stories of their ancestral home.
The stunning watercolor paintings capture the characters' resilience and beauty. Hope, love, and creativity shine through despite living in the worse possible circumstances. Readers or all ages must experience Freedom Over Me.
Historical Connections:
The stunning watercolor paintings capture the characters' resilience and beauty. Hope, love, and creativity shine through despite living in the worse possible circumstances. Readers or all ages must experience Freedom Over Me.
Historical Connections:
African Kidnapping
Traveling the Middle Passage
Slavery and the American
South
Slave Resistance and Runaways
Slave Resistance and Runaways
Antebellum Southern Plantations
I have this and it is powerful, poems and illustrations, too. The different points of view help with the different approaches/feelings. Every classroom needs to have it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAppreciations for sharing Ashley Bryan. Several of his books are among those I've shared with the first-graders I volunteer with. They love looking his his vibrant colors. When I show them his photograph their eyes light, because they share the same skin color. His large, unusual puppets, his studio open houses in Maine are all something that makes me see so much possibility for them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! This book is new to me, but it looks powerful. The lines you share are beautiful, as are the illustrations.
ReplyDeleteThank you for recommending the audiobook. It sounds very powerful.
ReplyDeleteI do love this book so much. I got it for my library...the work of love that went into it's creation is as beautiful as the story. And, the illustrations are amazing. Thank you for highlighting this beauty.
ReplyDeleteI love the art and poetry in this book. Can't wait to use it with sixth graders this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this powerful and timely book with us. I'm familiar with Ashley Bryan's art-the art here is rich, and look forward to reading "Freedom Over Me"
ReplyDelete