Celia, a Slave

November 4, 1991
This moving and masterfully told true story details the abuse and execution of a female black slave in antebellum Missouri. Melton, a professor of history at the University of North Carolina, provides vivid portraits of the teenaged Celia and her owner Robert Newsom, who repeatedly raped her in the five years following her purchase in 1850. Finally, Celia's love for another slave led to a confrontation during which she killed Newsom. Melton's account of her trial documents the hopelessness of a slave's plight; though many whites sympathized with Celia, she was put to death because slaves had no legal right to self-defense against their masters. Melton's rich narrative reads like a fine novel; his scholarship makes a vitally important contribution to understanding this chapter in American history.

June 1, 1992
YA- -A remarkable biography of a young woman who at the age of 14 became the working and sexual slave of her widowed Missouri master. After bearing two of his children, and falling in love with a fellow bondsman, Celia tried to sever the sexual relationship with her enslaver. He raped her; she killed him while try to defend herself. She was convicted of murder and hanged at the age of 19. McLaurin has masterfully researched judicial, historical, and contemporary materials in preparing this compelling and thoughtful narrative. Enhanced by its sensitivity and brevity, this book is a provocative starting point for discussion of its many ethical, legal, historical, and social issues. It should be required reading for high school students.- Catherine vanSonnenberg, San Diego Public Library