Light in the Darkness

Imagine wanting to learn to read, but knowing you're going to be punished if you get caught trying to learn. That's exactly what Rosa has to live with in the book Light in the Darkness: A Story About How Slaves Learned in Secret (2013). Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James E. Ransome, the picture book Light in the Darkness, takes an honest look at how slaves had to learn in secret.

This story really tugged at my heart. As a Quaker, my ancestors played an integral part in the Underground Railroad and the education of slaves. As a reader, I always enjoy a well written book that utilizes good detail with a strong plot, and couples both with excellent illustrations.

Light in the Darkness tells the story of Rosa, a slave girl, who attends school in secret. The story
takes place over a couple of weeks, giving us a glimpse of the dangers slaves faced. Each time she attends the secret school, she and her classmates have to be extremely quiet, keeping constant vigil for voices or sounds so as not to be caught.

While the story might be a little above my kindergartners, I feel I could have first- through third-graders map the story out through beginning, middle and end. I also feel like a mini-lesson utilizing a timeline, and mapping the story out that way.

Henry's Freedom Box

Where does one even begin to describe a book like Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad (2007)? The text, written by Ellen Levine, is masterfully done. The illustrations by Kadir Nelson evoke strong visual emotions. Having never read this classic before, I found myself rooting for Henry, hoping he safely makes it north and finds freedom!

While Henry's Freedom Box is the tale of a singular slave, the story represents the hope and desperation of African-Americans living in the 1800's in the southern United States. In the story, Henry grows up and experiences the harsh life of being a slave. Upon losing his family, Henry comes up with his own plan. He decides to build a box and try to mail himself to freedom. Based on a true story, Henry "Box" Brown did actually mail himself to freedom.

While the concept of slavery may be difficult for young children to understand, Henry's Freedom Box is written simply, plainly and in a way I think kindergartners would understand. Nelson's illustrations support the text, helping younger readers to understand what is happening. This book would be a excellent tool for older children to use to compare and contrast how things use to be to how they are today. I would like to have a mini-lesson citing what's different from then? What's the same?

I also believe it would make an excellent springboard into a discussion on book genre for older students. Well written books like this often make students question how they feel about a particular genre or style.