Wendi Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Is there an edited version of Uncle Tom's Cabin? Or would Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass be appropriate? Any other suggestions for giving ds a vivid picture of life as a slave in the American south? Thanks, Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 It is a trifle young, but the first Addie book fromt eh American Girl series covers some of what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dominion Heather Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 The first few chapters of Booker T. Washington's Up From Slavery are very interesting. Not that the whole book isn't interesting. He goes on to tell about the founding of the Tuskegee Institute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NevadaRabbit Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Any other suggestions for giving ds a vivid picture of life as a slave in the American south? I have not read it yet myself, but Amos Fortune, Free Man is on our reading list this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pongo Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 40 Acres and Maybe a Mule Escape from Slavery The Underground Railroad for Kids: From Slavery to Freedom with 21 Activities FREDERICK DOUGLASS: THE LAST DAYS OF SLAVERY MANY THOUSANDS GONE: AFRICAN AMERICANS FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM CHRISTMAS IN THE BIG HOUSE, CHRISTMAS IN THE QUARTERS I THOUGHT MY SOUL WOULD RISE AND FLY: THE DIARY OF PATSY, A FREED GIRL (DEAR AMERICA) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Is there an edited version of Uncle Tom's Cabin? Or would Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass be appropriate? Any other suggestions for giving ds a vivid picture of life as a slave in the American south? Thanks, Wendi I have Uncle Tom's Cabin for Young Folks that I downloaded from the Gutenberg website and then formatted to make it easier to read. I can email it to you if you'd like a copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 To Be a Slave by Julius Lester. It is based on personal accounts from people who lived through slavery, it's graphic and would definitely paint a very vivid picture of what it was like to be a slave. It's a young adult book and at a good reading level for a 12 yr old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Amos Fortune, Free Man, is very good; albeit a bit artificially positive. It is about the Northern slavery experience. "Life on a Southern Plantationp--1843" covers the Southern slavery experience. It is more factual than literary, but it's good. "Go Free or Die" is about Harriet Tubman and is good. "The Last Safe House" is outstanding. I have not read the children's version of Uncle Tom's Cabin, but would not let my 12 yo DD read the original at this point as it is way too harrowing. I'm glad that I finally read it this year, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paula j Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I was going to mention the Young Peoples Uncle Tom's Cabin from Gutenburg too, it's really easy to read. Another book I really like is Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith, it fits well for a 12 yo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I think it is safe to say that reading any one of Fredrick Douglass' autobiographies (I especially liked the second, and less famous, "My Bondage and My Freedom") could change a young person's life forever. Not only does it give an insight into the institution of slavery, but--perhaps as importantly--his story is absolutely inspirational in showing that education, self-betterment, and acting on the highest an most noble principles in opposing evil, can transform a human being. You would be hard put to find a more eloquent writer than Mr Douglass, or a person with more to offer to a young mind. IMO reading one of his biographies is "essential" for any young person's education. Also, Harriet Jacobs "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" is one of the rare slave narratives written by a woman, and is quite powerful. The themes do touch on sexual exploitation by slave-masters, but I don't recall anything a twelve year-old young man (or young girl) ought not hear. I don't recall anything overly explicit in this tale (but it has been some time since I've read this work). HTH Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 To Be a Slave by Julius Lester. It is based on personal accounts from people who lived through slavery, it's graphic and would definitely paint a very vivid picture of what it was like to be a slave. It's a young adult book and at a good reading level for a 12 yr old. I just wanted to second this one. It's somewhat brutal, at times, and I only read a few selections to my younger children, but for a 12yo, I think it's appropriate (if tough to face). It's an excellent resource. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 The Slave Dancer is a look at what happened on the slave ships. Broke my heart. I want all my kids to read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Amistad. It describes conditions on the slave ships. Frankly, it even shocked me at 49, and I thought I knew quite a bit about this stuff. It's also a great book and very elegantly illustrated with period paintings and drawings. Also, you might want to watch "Amazing Grace" which is about the abolition of slavery in the British Empire--an event that happened quite some time before the US Civil War. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 I have been planning to read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; it looks like it may be appropriate for ds, too. To Be a Slave looks very good; I will have to pre-read that one, too, it sounds like. We will watch "Amazing Grace" again (loved it in the theatre), and also read Amistad (found it on my library website) for more about slave ships. Daily Life on a Southern Plantation looks very good, too; my library has that one, too. I found a couple more books: The Strength of These Arms Bound for America I'll also look at Amos Fortune, Free Man. Thanks again! Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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