Answering the Cry for Freedom by Gretchen Woelfle - ESSENTIAL

Answering the Cry for Freedom: Stories of African Americans and the American Revolution by Gretchen Woelfle, illustrated by R. GregoryChristie, 196 pages.  NON-FICTION.  Calkins Creek (Boyds Mill), 2016.  $19.

BUYING ADVISORY:  MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

When the Revolutionary War was being fought on America’s soil, the 500,000 enslaved African Americans were left out of the idea of freedom for all.  That didn’t mean they didn’t think about freedom, however. 

Woelfle explores the stories of 13 of these men and women who also dreamed of freedom.  Some names might be familiar; others will be completely new.  Any student who has read Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson should be directed here for a non-fiction pairing and more depth to this chapter in our history.  While kids may not gravitate to it on their own, I can’t imagine not having it in my collection.  How did I miss this two years ago?

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS