Frederick Douglass

February 27, 1995
The success of this penetrating book lies in Miller's (Zora Hurston and the China-berry Tree) ability to convincingly convey the abolitionist Frederick Douglass's thoughts and feelings during his formative years as a plantation slave; and in Miller's focus on the limited--and pivotal--period of youth. The result is a searing, personal story that is easily absorbed by young readers, introduced to Douglass as a child whose mother is sold to a distant master: "Frederick tried to understand, but when he thought of his mother, tears and more tears came into his eyes." This lyrical account underscores Douglass's compassion and concern for his peers: as he watches an overseer whip another slave, he "felt the blows on his back, on the back of all the slaves who stood beside him." In an impressive picture book debut, Lucas contributes warmly textured artwork, rendered in pastels on paper treated with pumice and gesso. These illustrations reinforce the sense of Douglass's remarkable endurance, determination and humanity. Ages 4-up.

June 1, 1995
K-Gr 3-Although much has been written about Douglass, little has been directed at young readers. This book goes a long way toward filling this gap. It focuses on one of the most dramatic events in his life: the moment when, as a slave, he summoned up the strength to stand up to his white overseer. Douglass abhorred slavery, but could find no way to escape; yet he was unable to bring himself to accept his situation. He had learned to read, but this knowledge only set him apart from his fellow slaves, and added to his discontent. Miller's narrative is movingly rendered, allowing readers to experience the dilemma facing the young man. Lucas's pictures, done in pastel on paper treated with pumice and gesso, bring the well-told and very human account to life. The mood they create is dark and brooding, with a hint of violence lurking on every page. Youngsters will relate to the story's powerful message about the meaning of physical and spiritual freedom.-Carol Jones Collins, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJ

March 15, 1995
Gr. 2^-4, younger for reading aloud. This picture-book biography focuses on a crucial episode in the life of the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass: the day he stood up to a vicious overseer and fought back. As the tension builds to that confrontation, Miller tells the story of Douglass' life under slavery, including his early separation from his mother and his burning desire to be free. There's some fictionalization, but the facts and the feelings are based on Douglass' autobiographies. Lucas' strong, realistic pastel illustrations show Douglass as a child with his grandmother on the plantation; then we see him with the other slaves laboring in the cotton fields. A double-page spread shows him crouched under the blows of the overseer; then there's the fight, and in a dramatic reversal, Douglass stands tall and confident over the man who will never dare strike him again. In the final frame, Douglass is determined to escape and help all slaves to be free. ((Reviewed Mar. 15, 1995))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1995, American Library Association.)