Answering the Cry for Freedom: Stories of African Americans and the American Revolution

by Gretchen Woelfle, R. Gregory Christie (Illustrator)

Overview

Uncover the lives of thirteen African-Americans who fought during the Revolutionary War.   

Even as American Patriots fought for independence from British rule during the Revolutionary War, oppressive conditions remained in place for the thousands of enslaved and free African Americans living in this country. But African Americans took up their own fight for freedom by joining the British and American armies; preaching, speaking out, and writing about the evils of slavery; and establishing settlements in Nova Scotia and Africa. The thirteen stories featured in this collection spotlight charismatic individuals who answered the cry for freedom, focusing on the choices they made and how they changed America both then and now. These individuals include: Boston King, Agrippa Hull, James Armistead Lafayette, Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, Prince Hall, Mary Perth, Ona Judge, Sally Hemings, Paul Cuffe, John Kizell, Richard Allen, and Jarena Lee. Includes individual bibliographies and timelines, author note, and source notes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629793061
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/04/2016
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	286,980
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Lexile:	1040L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Gretchen Woelfle is the author of multiple award-winning fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including Jeannette Rankin: Political Pioneer, Write On, Mercy!: The Secret Life of Mercy Otis Warren, and Mumbet's Declaration of Independence. She lives in Los Angeles, California. gretchenwoelfle.com.

R. Gregory Christie is the award-winning illustrator of over fifty children's books, including The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children, edited by Davida Adedjouma, which won a Coretta Scott King Honor for illustration, and Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth, which was selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. He lives in Decatur, Georgia, where he also owns and operates a bookstore that sells autographed children's books. gas-art.com

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Hidden Chapter of the American Revolution 6

Part 1 Fighting a War For Freedom 8

Chapter 1 Boston King (ca. 1760-1802) 14

Chapter 2 Agrippa Hull (1759-1848) 28

Chapter 3 James Armistead Lafayette (ca. 1748-1830) 38

Part 2 Slaves in the Cradle of Liberty 48

Chapter 4 Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1753-1784) 52

Chapter 5 Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman (ca. 1742-1829) 70

Chapter 6 Prince Hall (ca. 1735-1807) 80

Part 3 Enslaved Women in the South 92

Chapter 7 Mary Perth (ca. 1740-1813) 96

Chapter 8 Ona Judge (1773-1848) 108

Chapter 9 Sally Hemings (1773-1835) 120

Part 4 Freedom Was Just the Beginning 132

Chapter 10 Paul Cuffe (1759-1817) 138

Chapter 11 John Kizell (ca. 1760-After 1830) 154

Chapter 12 Richard Allen (1760-1831) 168

Chapter 13 Jarena Lee (1783-After1849) 184

Epilogue Echoes of the Cry For Freedom 198

Author Notes and Timelines 202

Acknowledgments 212

Selected Bibliography 213

Source Notes 221

Index 232

Editorial Reviews

"Biographical sketches tell of 13 remarkable black men and women... (t)he well-told stories, illustrated with striking silhouettes by Christie, can be read independently of one another.... Accessible, inspiring accounts of courageous men and women."—Kirkus Reviews

"Author Woelfle and illustrator Christie share the stories of African American patriots of the American Revolution, an important and interesting part of history that is not often covered in texts. The personal stories will inspire and guide many who are forging their own path for equal rights today....a well researched book that will make history relatable for students."—VOYA

“Woelfle’s storytelling clips nicely along. What elevates this effort are the saucy, old-timey ink illustrations by Christie.”—The Atlanta Journal Constitution

“Students will easily identify with the challenges faced by these notables…Teachers will love the extensively researched text, and librarians will love the in-text quotes, poems, journal excerpts, letters, epitaphs, testimonies, and other primary source content. Skillfully written by multiple award-winning author, Woelfle, and illustrated with pen and ink drawings by award-winning illustrator, Christie, this book…is ideally suited for all middle grades studying early American history, civil rights, and government. Highly Recommended.”—School Library Connection
 
“This outstanding book is not just a history of African Americans, but rather an honest look at the complicated, often hypocritical definitions that Americans have ascribed to the idea of liberty from our earliest days.”—Booklist
 
“Through the use of personal testimonies, Woelfle presents an approachable but detailed narrative. Pull quotes in bold and simple but telling illustrations allow the work to flow like a storybook. Researchers and history fans alike will surely appreciate this work that brings attention to a missing part of U.S. history.”—School Library Journal
 
“Thirteen combined biographies showcase the different experiences of African Americans in the years surrounding the American Revolution. Each tale carefully highlights both the individual's unique story (soldier; slave; minister, trader, etc.) and unifying themes.”—The Horn Book Guide

From the Publisher

10/01/2016
Gr 4–9—There is a dearth of resources available to students interested in the history and inner lives of free and enslaved African Americans in early U.S. history. This informational text uncovers a bit of that lost history through accounts and stories of 13 individuals who lived through or fought in the Revolutionary War while grappling with their own lack of freedom and autonomy. Through the use of personal testimonies, Woelfle presents an approachable but detailed narrative. Pull quotes in bold and simple but telling illustrations allow the work to flow like a storybook. Individuals profiled include Boston King, Agrippa Hull, James Armistead Lafayette, Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, Prince Hall, Mary Perth, Ona Judge, Sally Hemings, Paul Cuffe, John Kizell, Richard Allen, and Jarena Lee. Each short profile examines the subject's family history, personal life, and fight for freedom. In the back matter, each individual covered receives an author's note, time line, bibliography, and source notes—encouraging readers to go further in their own exploration. VERDICT Researchers and history fans alike will surely appreciate this work that brings attention to a missing part of U.S. history. Recommended for libraries and classrooms that serve middle school students.—Nikitia Wilson, Queens Library, NY

School Library Journal

2016-08-02
Biographical sketches tell of 13 remarkable black men and women, including a double agent, a traveling female preacher, an admired poet, and a successful whaling captain. While some may be known to readers, most will not. Information on John Kizell, for example, has only recently been uncovered. Many of their civic or military accomplishments are impressive, making it unclear why Sally Hemings is among the 13; although her story is notable, her primary contribution was ensuring the freedom of her children. Divided into four parts, the book moves from three men who fought in the Revolution to three slaves in Boston, three female slaves in the South, and, finally, four men and women who were born or became free and went on to advocate for others’ rights. Almost all overcame great odds to influence their world. Elizabeth Freeman sued for and won her freedom from slavery in 1781 Massachusetts. Prince Hall, a former slave, organized the first branch of black Freemasons, of which there are now 300,000 in lodges named after him. Richard Allen bought his freedom for $2,000, received the first copyright granted to an African-American, and founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The well-told stories, illustrated with striking silhouettes by Christie, can be read independently of one another. An open design, pull-quotes, and frequent headings add to the appeal. Accessible, inspiring accounts of courageous men and women. (notes, timelines, bibliography, index) (Collective biography. 9-13)

Kirkus Review