Frederick Douglass for Kids

July 1, 2012

Gr 5-9-Douglass was born into slavery, but through self-education and innate oratorical skills, he overcame adversity to become the most famous abolitionist of his day. His spirit and personal hardships, as well as the sufferings of the millions forced into slavery, are effectively captured in Sanders's well-written narrative. The inclusion of the tireless work of many antislavery visionaries of the day gives readers an accurate portrayal of the abolitionist movement. Though well-researched and thorough, some relevant events are oversimplified. Much of the content and activities are presented in the form of sidebars. While many contain good information, their formatting can be overwhelming and sometimes conflicts with the book's flow. Time lines, archival pictures, and modern photographs of relevant locales are also included. A resources section includes websites, places to visit, and titles for further information. In the hands of educators, this book will be a valuable tool on the life and times of a great orator. However, it is written at a fairly high level, so the title slightly misrepresents the book's intended audience. For elementary grade children needing sources for a report, this would not be the title of choice; far too much reading is required to draw out the facts relevant for that purpose. Those interested in the subject, however, will appreciate the insightful look at this remarkable individual.-Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2012
Grades 4-7 Sanders extends her thoughtful and well-researched biography of one of America's great orators with supplementary images and materials, engaging readers in Douglass' experiences as a slave, a speaker, and a statesman. With two columns of text on each page, embellished with photographic artifacts, corollary biographies, and expansive activities, the magazine-style layout breaks up the narrative with fascinating bits of information directly and indirectly related to the subject at hand. Experiential activities include everything from crafting a hat and a cravat like the ones Douglass used to disguise himself as a sailor during his successful escape, to re-creating the New England boiled dinner he shared with John Brown. More informational ideas include researching a black abolitionist and hosting an oratorical contest. A time line and list of print and web resources round out this thorough and involving examination of a great man, equally suited to individual immersion and classroom collaboration.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)