Book Review: Almost to Freedom
Rate This Article
What Parents Should Know
The book deals directly with many of the hardships endured
by enslaved African-American people in the pre-Civil War South,
from verbal and physical abuse by the owners and overseers of
the plantation to the terrors of time spent on the dangerous
Underground Railway. For children old enough to comprehend some
aspects of the historical setting and political situation in
the story, this is an emotionally rewarding and ultimately
optimistic story.
Common Sense Media Review
The quote from Margaret Atwood at the beginning of the book
sets a positive tone for a story about a time in American
history that was wrenching and painful: "A doll is a witness/
who cannot die,/ with a doll you are never alone."
Because of the time and the setting, there are many unhappy moments in the story. However, the warmth of the family and community connections, as well as the little girl's loving relationship with her doll, make the bad parts more bearable. Written in authentic dialect, the story is well told. The author draws the reader closely into the personal experience of enslavement, balancing unspeakable suffering with extreme courage and determination. Using the voice, perspective, and naiveté of the doll offers a natural way to make a complicated historical situation more accessible for children.
The illustrator uses a dark palette with the soft illuminations of starlight and candlelight. In his historically-accurate full page and double page spreads, the characters are alive with a huge range of emotions. This is a moving story that is powerfully presented.
From the book:
Bein' Lindy's doll baby is a right important job.
When Lindy and Miz Rachel pick cotton, I be there, too.
Lindy ties me 'round her waist with a rope. The knot's kinda
loose and, after a while, I fall to the ground.
"Sally, you gettin' yourself all dirty," Lindy says. "Now
you stay put."
Miz Rachel wipes sweat from her brow and shows Lindy how
to tie me on tight. The overseer hollers, "Git up, there!" like
he's talkin' to a couple of horses. He's ridin' over carryin'
his whip. Miz Rachel and Lindy quick start pickin' again.
The work be hard, but the long days seem a mite easier
with everybody singin', "Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for
to carry me home ..."
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
