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Freedom School, Yes!
Amy Littlesugar
illustrated by Floyd Cooper
In 1964, 600 courageous young volunteers went to Mississippi to teach
in the
Mississippi Summer Project. They taught not only reading and writing, but
also the
historical legacy of African-Americans.
Freedom School, Yes! tells the story through the eyes of Jolie of one
brave
teacher, nineteen-year-old Annie, and the courageous family who take her in.
From the
start Jolie regrets her mamma's decision to take in the Freedom School
teacher. Those
fears grow when thugs throw a brick through the window the night the freedom
school
teacher arrives. Fear turns to terror that keeps some people away, when the
night before
school begins, the thugs burn down Jolie's church where the school is
supposed to meet.
However, Annie, Mamma, and Reverend Wilkins will not give up. Meeting
under
a hickory tree, Annie opens up the historic legacy of African-Americans to
those who
come, changing Jolie's life forever.
Floyd Cooper's beautiful artwork captures the emotions of the
characters well.
The story portrays the ignorant meanness of the attackers, the fear, the
influence of the
church, the power of education, and the courage of those who labored for
change.
Assigned to early reading sections in the library, the reading level is
probably for
third to sixth graders, though younger children will understand the story
read aloud with a
little background explained.
Littlesugar includes a bibliography for those who wish to study the
Mississippi
Summer Project in greater depth.
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