Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
This book will make you bawl your eyes out. I empathized with the characters so much. This was such an easy and great read. I highly recommend this book to anyone of all ages. I read some parts out loud to my children, and tried teaching them what slavery really was like. With it being from a nine-year-old point of view, I think it really hit my kids more with what she had to go through.
What a treasure this book is! I always love when I get to learn a little about a piece of history that I had little knowledge of, and it is even better when you get to learn it through a well told story. So glad I stumbled upon this great read.
Student Review by Anita (11th Grade)
Promises carry a heavy meaning with young Grace. When the people she holds dear provide her with important promises of keeping her eyes down and her thoughts to herself in the big house, Grace is determined to hold on to them. But when she is sent to the “Big House” and witnesses the unfair ways of the Master and Missus, she can’t help but let out her voice of reason. What will happen when Grace gets her family in trouble because of her broken promises?
My feelings on this book are very hazy. The book is written in verse, which was strange to me at first, but I quickly got used to it. It isn’t the worst book I’ve ever read; however, it isn’t the best book I’ve ever read either. When Grace and her family are forced to run from the plantation, you would expect the plot to become more dramatic and exciting. However, the author fails to create suspense, and the book was a bit boring at times.
Recommendation(s): I would recommend this book to readers of other books by the author such as All the Broken Pieces and Serafina’s Promise. For readers looking for more complex books that deal with slavery, I highly recommend Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. Kindred not only deals with slavery in the 1800s but also uses a blend of Sci-Fi which--even though it seems to contrast with the subject of slavery--truly enhances the book, and provides ideas that readers reading the book in the present can relate to.
Grade: 5-8
Genre: Historical Fiction, Poetry
Library Merit: Mediocre
Characterization: Mediocre
Promises carry a heavy meaning with young Grace. When the people she holds dear provide her with important promises of keeping her eyes down and her thoughts to herself in the big house, Grace is determined to hold on to them. But when she is sent to the “Big House” and witnesses the unfair ways of the Master and Missus, she can’t help but let out her voice of reason. What will happen when Grace gets her family in trouble because of her broken promises?
My feelings on this book are very hazy. The book is written in verse, which was strange to me at first, but I quickly got used to it. It isn’t the worst book I’ve ever read; however, it isn’t the best book I’ve ever read either. When Grace and her family are forced to run from the plantation, you would expect the plot to become more dramatic and exciting. However, the author fails to create suspense, and the book was a bit boring at times.
Recommendation(s): I would recommend this book to readers of other books by the author such as All the Broken Pieces and Serafina’s Promise. For readers looking for more complex books that deal with slavery, I highly recommend Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. Kindred not only deals with slavery in the 1800s but also uses a blend of Sci-Fi which--even though it seems to contrast with the subject of slavery--truly enhances the book, and provides ideas that readers reading the book in the present can relate to.
Grade: 5-8
Genre: Historical Fiction, Poetry
Library Merit: Mediocre
Characterization: Mediocre
I genuinely love fictional books where I come away knowing something new. It can be some rules for a sport, something about the human condition, ways Fargo is like Philly—as long as the author drops some knowledge on me, I tend to have a good time.
In Unbound, Burg introduced me to the “maroons.”
So, back in the antebellum era, slavery was all over the South (thanks, 8-year-old me and Addy Walker). They worked on small farms and massive plantations, and things were capital-b Bad. Escape, though not unheard of, was definitely discouraged. Everyone knew what would happen to a slave who was caught. Obviously it would be harder to escape the farther south a slave lived, but even in the border states it could be dangerous.
Full review on A Writer Reads.
In Unbound, Burg introduced me to the “maroons.”
So, back in the antebellum era, slavery was all over the South (thanks, 8-year-old me and Addy Walker). They worked on small farms and massive plantations, and things were capital-b Bad. Escape, though not unheard of, was definitely discouraged. Everyone knew what would happen to a slave who was caught. Obviously it would be harder to escape the farther south a slave lived, but even in the border states it could be dangerous.
Full review on A Writer Reads.
Pre-read for high school lit. This book is gorgeous. My student wants to be a writer. This is his first novel in verse. He is loving searching for descriptive language and is enjoying(?) the story. It’s hard and heartbreaking but very important.
Grace was 9 years old when she was called to work in the big house. Despite warnings of keeping her head down, mouth shut and thoughts to herself, one day Grace could no longer keep her mouth shut to the Mistress. The result was a threat to sell her mama and brothers on the auction block. Grace knew she and her family had no choice but to run.
This novel in verse tells of a little known alternate to the except north to freedom. It was to delve deep into the Great Dismal Swamp to seek safety and shelter. It is a harrowing reminder of the plight of the slaves and what freedom means when you don’t have it.
This novel in verse tells of a little known alternate to the except north to freedom. It was to delve deep into the Great Dismal Swamp to seek safety and shelter. It is a harrowing reminder of the plight of the slaves and what freedom means when you don’t have it.
“I wonder how it feels like
to be a tiny fish
what flitters n darts
so free.
I wonder how it feels
to be the cool, clear water
what runs
without bein chased.”.
Unbound is a pre-civil war story with fictional characters based on true life stories of enslaved people, who found a way to escape the hellish life under white authority. Well it is a story in verse, the whole book is like a poetry book which took me a while to get used to. I could not get into the story at first, I am not really accustomed to this style or enjoy poetry without rhymes. I really liked the story but felt like it could have been much better in a novel. Not exactly my cup of tea however recommend it to those who enjoy the genre, definitely worth a try.
to be a tiny fish
what flitters n darts
so free.
I wonder how it feels
to be the cool, clear water
what runs
without bein chased.”.
Unbound is a pre-civil war story with fictional characters based on true life stories of enslaved people, who found a way to escape the hellish life under white authority. Well it is a story in verse, the whole book is like a poetry book which took me a while to get used to. I could not get into the story at first, I am not really accustomed to this style or enjoy poetry without rhymes. I really liked the story but felt like it could have been much better in a novel. Not exactly my cup of tea however recommend it to those who enjoy the genre, definitely worth a try.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes