Stolen Man

July 1, 2007
Gr 3-5-Best known for his irreverent musical concoctions, Polisar here tackles the dramatic story of Joseph Cinque and the 1839 revolt on the slave ship "Amistad". He tells the story entirely from Cinque's point of view, imagining his horror at being captured and torn from his family, his growing determination to escape, and his confusion at landing in the hands of the American justice system. While the writing is gripping, there are some major omissions, and there is no time line, list of sources, or suggestions for further reading. The afterword deals only with Polisar's own connection to the story. "The Story of the Amistad Rebellion" appears on the cover, but the word "Amistad" is never referred to again or explained. John Quincy Adams, who led Cinque's defense in front of the Supreme Court, is referred to only as a great "Chief" and is never named. No years are mentioned. These and similar failings lessen the book's value as historical fiction. Veronica Chambers's Amistad "Rising" (Harcourt, 1998) is also fictionalized, but has a firmer grounding in history and striking illustrations. Polisar's book will whet readers' appetites to know more; librarians will need to be at the ready to fill in the gaps."Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2007
Based on a true account, this fictional biography tells the story of the Amistad slave rebellion through the eyes of Sengbe Pieh, who was later given the name Joseph Cinque. From the time of the brutal slave raids in West Africa, Polisar imagines the prisoner's longing for his home and family, the horrendous journey across the sea, the slaves' mutiny, and, finally, Cinque's trial in the U.S., where he is given the right to return home. There are no notes or further readings to help readers fill in the facts, but the account of the slave ships and the terse, exciting narrative will introduce younger readers to the history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)