BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Lizzy was born to enslaved parents in 1818, she learned to read write and sew from her mother. As a teen she was sent away to work, the only enslaved worker in a household, doing the work typically done by 3. But her skills at hand made dresses eventually drew attention to her from fancy patrons wanting her services, and she was able to raise $1,200 to buy her own and her son's freedom. In 1860 she moved to Washington, DC where she made dresses for the wife of Jefferson Davis as well as for First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln.
Based on Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly's autobiography, this story of perseverance and grit is a great addition to my short biographies section. Actual excerpts from her memoir are included in the text, which is a nice bonus. I loved the illustrations, they are overlaid with fabric and stitching and handiwork. Occasionally Zunon has left the raw edge of the fabric on a finished dress, which to my eye made the illustration look like a fabric piece was used rather than a dress was made, but my taste may differ from the artists. Also includes an author's note, timeline and some great online and other sources.
Lisa Librarian
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