Bread for Words: A Frederick Douglass Story

by Shana Keller, Kayla Stark (Illustrator)

Overview

Frederick Douglass knew where he was born but not when. He knew his grandmother but not his father. And as a young child, there were other questions, such as Why am I a slave? Answers to those questions might have eluded him but Douglass did know for certain that learning to read and to write would be the first step in his quest for freedom and his fight for equality. Told from first-person perspective, this picture-book biography draws from the real-life experiences of a young Frederick Douglass and his attempts to learn how to read and write. Author Shana Keller (Ticktock Banneker's Clock) personalizes the text for young readers, using some of Douglass's own words. The lyrical title comes from how Douglass "paid" other children to teach him.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534166950
Publisher:	Sleeping Bear Press
Publication date:	01/15/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	37 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

Editorial Reviews

02/21/2020

Gr 2–5—This picture book biography focuses on Frederick Douglass's childhood quest to learn to read and write. Narrated from his point of view, the text follows Douglass from one master to the next while he realizes that literacy would be the key to his freedom. Douglass employs a creative method to learn reading and writing skills from other children, paying them in surplus food—the inspiration for the book's title. The watercolor-style illustrations in an earth tone palette serve as a lovely backdrop for the narrative. Many pages feature a red-wing blackbird observing the scene, possibly symbolizing Douglass's eventual flight from slavery. His persistence in learning to read and write and the clever means through which he attained these skills are inspiring. However, readers may be frustrated that the book ends somewhat abruptly without explaining how that knowledge helped him escape slavery or become an abolitionist. These questions are partially answered in the back matter, but young readers may still need additional resources. Nevertheless, Keller shows the complexity of slavery and the driving need for freedom. VERDICT This story will make a valuable addition to biography collections and resources for studies in Black history.—Kelly Jahng, South Park Elementary School, IL

School Library Journal