MLIS 5603 Literature for Children and Young Adults
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bryan, Ashley. 2016. Freedom over me: Eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1481456903POEM CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Freedom over me is a free verse, narrative poem told from the perspective of 11 slaves and their female slave owner who is selling the plantation after the death of her husband. Told in verse style, there is little rhythm and only a minute amount of rhyme. It is told in typical stanza format, created in sections of four pages for each of the slave's characterizations. Told in first-person point of view, Mrs. Mary Fairchilds introduces the story by telling the reader why she is selling the estate, which includes the slaves. The narration following the introduction tells the stories of each of those 11 slaves whom Mrs. Fairchilds has hired an appraiser to "price." Each slave portrays details of his or her specific job and then further develops their heritage memories and dreams for the future.
As the language and sound of these stories unfold in poem format, some minor rhyme does occur sporadically, such as "docked/blocked." It is sporadic enough, though, that it seems almost accidental. There are occasional uses of alliteration such as, "Gift of God" and "Suffering of the Slaves," and a few examples of repetition are also present, especially with the usage of FREEDOM as a consistent theme throughout. Personification is used beautifully to create an almost "second nature" to these slaves as they tell their African history. The slaves have been priced by an appraiser for auction, and the reader is told their plantation name first, but as they tell their stories, we see their African names become personified into descriptions of themselves. Yeradin means "Studious," and Serwaa means "Jewel." Bryan also uses metaphor infrequently although they are not obvious. Sewing becomes the "song of my hands" while beating on an anvil is "a plea for freedom." One well-known idiom is included in the text of a story, "Jump the broom," the traditional term for marriage in the slave culture.
Imagery is one of the most important elements in book. Throughout the text, visual, auditory, and tactile imagery is used to evoke a strong sense of emotion in the narration. A vision of runaway slaves is shown when the slaves gather to talk of "Heartbreaking stories of those caught, returned to slavery, brutally punished." Battles and craftsmen's artistry are also described well visually. We hear stories of the village songs and stories and feel "frightened by voices shouting in no tribal language we knew." Strong emotion is evoked through the narrators' tones when reliving the "aches, pains, the suffering of the slaves" portrayed through the lack of humanity which is suffered by the slaves longing for freedom. We feel their desire, know their pride in craftsmanship and skill, and understand the universal theme that they are people, not property. We feel their hopes, dreams, and their visions.
The book is a strong balance of narrative poetry and illustrations. Each person is developed in four pages, of which the first two include autobiographical information and a head/shoulders painting which is surrounded by a backdrop of slavery related documents, including the person's "white" name and price tag. The next two pages include a reflection on each person's African roots and even their secret life and dreams. The illustrations on these pages include elements of their heritage and ancestry as stated in their accounts, and when balanced together, these accounts form a vivid image of life on the Fairchilds Estate in 1828
AWARDS
· 2016 Newberry Honor Book· 2016 Nominee for Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
· Kirkus Prize Young Reader's Literature Finalist 2016
· New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2016
· New York Times Notable Picture Books of 2016
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
· Horn Book Magazine, “…While no information beyond the gender and name, and price of each of the eleven enslaved people is noted in the appraisal of the estate, Bryan lovingly restores their humanity and dignity, giving them ages, true African names, relationships, talents, hopes, and dreams...” © Nov. 4, 2016.· School Library Journal, “...Relying on narrative poetry to explore each figure's inner and outer life, Bryan gives voice to their history, their longing for freedom, and their skills as artisans, cooks, musicians, carpenters, etc...” © Sept. 1, 2016
· Publisher’s Weekly, "Using a document from 1828 that lists the value of a U.S. landowner's 11 slaves, Bryan creates distinct personalities and voices for each, painting their portraits and imagining their dreams..." © July 4, 2016.
· Booklist, "Each person appears in a four-page section, opening with a page of free verse text opposite a riveting head-and-shoulders portrait with grim collage background of slavery related documents. A banner reveals the person's appraised value, master-imposed slave name, and age..." © Aug. 1, 2016.
CONNECTIONS
Use as an introduction to a slavery, social conditions, racism, forced labor, plantations, culture, geography unit.
Gather other 2016 Newberry Honor Books to read such as:
· The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle, ISBN 030758299XUse as an introduction to a slavery, social conditions, racism, forced labor, plantations, culture, geography unit.
Gather other 2016 Newberry Honor Books to read such as:
· The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Mariah Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman, ISBN 0618159762
· The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis, ISBN 0385321759
Gather similar titles to read such as:
· Underground by Jean Ferris, ISBN 0374372438· The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox, ISBN 0807204587
· Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad by Elvira Woodruff, ISBN 0613284631
· Copper Sun by Sharon Draper, ISBN 06898218416
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