Born into slavery young Frederick dreams of the day he and his people will be free. Yet until that day comes, his only escape is through the books he reads, which take him to worlds far from his own.W
Born into slavery young Frederick dreams of the day he and his people will be free. Yet until that day comes, his only escape is through the books he reads, which take him to worlds far from his own.
When a menacing overseer named Covey sees that Frederick is different from the others, he sets out to "break" the young reader. But Frederick's surprising response to Covey's brutality is an act of courage that frees forever what no person can hold captive: his spirit
In his picture hook debut, fine artist Cedric Lucas a hauntingly realistic portrait of a cruel era. William Miller follows up his critically acclaimed Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree with a timeless reminder to readers of all ages and backgrounds that freedom is something to never be taken for granted.
Awards
Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Children's Book of Distinction Finalist
Hungry Mind Review
Notable Children's Books
Smithsonian
Interest Level
Grades 2 - 5
Reading Level
Grade 3
Themes
Biography, African/African American Interest, Conflict resolution, Slavery
Accelerated Reader
Level: 4.1
Points: .5
View Description for teachers/educators
William Miller is the award-winning author of numerous books for children for LEE & LOW (see full list to the right). Mr. Miller lives in York, Pennsylvania, where he teaches African American literature and creative writing at York College.
Cedric Lucas is the illustrator of Night Golf and Frederick Douglass: The Last Day of Slavery (Lee & Low, 1995). He is also a contributing illustrator to America: My Land, Your Land, Our Land. He teaches art to middle school students in Bronx, NY, and lives in Yonkers, New York, with his wife and their two children.
View Biographical note