Journey to a promised land A story of the Exodusters

Allison Lassieur

Book - 2019

"Hattie Jacobs and her family join the Great Exodus of 1879 in search of a better life in Kansas"--

Saved in:

Children's Room Show me where

jFICTION/Lassieur Allison
1 / 1 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
Children's Room jFICTION/Lassieur Allison Checked In
Subjects
Genres
Fiction
Published
Mendota Heights, MN : Jolly Fish Press [2019]
Language
English
Main Author
Allison Lassieur (author)
Other Authors
Eric Freeberg (illustrator)
Physical Description
148 pages : illustrations, map ; 20 cm
ISBN
9781631632761
9781631632754
Contents unavailable.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

Hattie's parents decide to join the movement of free blacks from their home state of Tennessee west to Kansas for the opportunities in bourgeoning black communities, but the journey is harder than they anticipated.Since Emancipation, Hattie's parents have sought every opportunity, from pursuing education to opening a successful blacksmith shop. They work hard but want for nothing: Their community supports Papa's business, Hattie's teacher believes in her, and while the white woman for whom Hattie does chores is unpleasant company, she pays Hattie a helpful wage. But a man named Singleton comes to town announcing opportunities in Kansasincluding free land and all-black towns. When the harassment from Papa's former master becomes violent, Hattie's parents decide to make the long journey. The perils along the way are no Little House adventure, and when they arrive, they are disappointed with the basic living conditions compared to where they came from. Yet the story is more suspenseful than scary, and Hattie's happy, loving, free black family shows a side of American history not often pictured. Historical details are seamlessly woven into the plot through Hattie's eyes, and half-page pencil illustrations bring her family to life. With cliffhangers and characters to care about, and enough homesteading to interest fans of books about "pioneers," this well-written volume fills a major gap in historical fiction. (author's note, photos, map) (Historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.