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bekabeka's review
5.0
Wow. I realize this is a children's book, but I had another one of the books in the Dear America series as a child that I loved dearly and just recently found out there were many more. This one felt like required reading and I was right. It feels wrong to say a book written from the perspective of a slave is "excellent," but it should genuinely be required reading for all. For kid-friendly font size and wording, it was absolutely gripping. After that epilogue, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out if this was actually a true story or not.. I don't often write reviews, but this one was simultaneously excellent, devastating, "easy to read" as far as racism/slavery can be, and an absolute gut punch in the feels. Whether you are just beginning your journey in being actively anti-racist, or this is a subject you want to learn more about, or you like reading books for kids, really no matter what you are interested in, read this.
tsilverman's review
5.0
This was so well written, especially with how Clotee would spell out words then say what she would picture.
soulwinds's review
4.0
4 stars for A Picture of Freedom
Thoughts and Plot
I finished this book awhile ago but finally found a bit of time to write a review! So this will be short and sweet cause I finished it a week ago...
Clotee is a slave on a Virginia plantation. Her father died when she was young and her mother was sold away then died as well. As a result she lives with her auntie in the attic above the kitchen (I think, hard to remember) where all the house slaves stay. She is tasked with cleaning the house, helping with the cooking and dishes, and fanning the young master William while he is at his lessons, which is how she learned to read.
The history given in this Dear America if far more accurate then the one I read from a previous Dear America about a plantation owner's daughter. This one does cover the fact that there are laws against slaves learning to read and write and even mentions that there are serious consequences for owners who are caught teaching their slaves.
Clotee is a bright young lady with a thirst for knowledge and you can see her spelling and grammar improve as she learns more as William gets a tutor. Her diary gives a watered down version of life as a slave and the differences in 'types' of slaves such as the treatment of 'house slaves' verses 'field hand' slaves. It also shows how slave owners used to try and manipulate slaves into tattling on each other for both minor and major infractions.
In Conclusion
This book is a watered down, but more accurate look at what life may have been like as a slave in the south just before the civil war broke out. It's an interesting read.
Age range: upper middle school and up
Content: violence, beating of a slave to death, beating a slave, mentions of off 'screen' killing of runaway slaves, accident resulting in plantation owner's child's death, accident resulting in temporary paralysis.
Thoughts and Plot
I finished this book awhile ago but finally found a bit of time to write a review! So this will be short and sweet cause I finished it a week ago...
Clotee is a slave on a Virginia plantation. Her father died when she was young and her mother was sold away then died as well. As a result she lives with her auntie in the attic above the kitchen (I think, hard to remember) where all the house slaves stay. She is tasked with cleaning the house, helping with the cooking and dishes, and fanning the young master William while he is at his lessons, which is how she learned to read.
The history given in this Dear America if far more accurate then the one I read from a previous Dear America about a plantation owner's daughter. This one does cover the fact that there are laws against slaves learning to read and write and even mentions that there are serious consequences for owners who are caught teaching their slaves.
Clotee is a bright young lady with a thirst for knowledge and you can see her spelling and grammar improve as she learns more as William gets a tutor. Her diary gives a watered down version of life as a slave and the differences in 'types' of slaves such as the treatment of 'house slaves' verses 'field hand' slaves. It also shows how slave owners used to try and manipulate slaves into tattling on each other for both minor and major infractions.
In Conclusion
This book is a watered down, but more accurate look at what life may have been like as a slave in the south just before the civil war broke out. It's an interesting read.
Age range: upper middle school and up
Content: violence, beating of a slave to death, beating a slave, mentions of off 'screen' killing of runaway slaves, accident resulting in plantation owner's child's death, accident resulting in temporary paralysis.
saturndoo's review
5.0
I am really loving these books :) This is the third one I read today as they are really quick easy reads, not to mention great stories :) This one is about a young slave girl living on a plantation. So far this one is my favorite one!!!! The author does a great job painting the perfect picture of what plantation life was like. Great book and is highly recommended :)
briannastw's review
3.0
Clotee is a strong and bright character voice, but I feel that this book presents a glossed-over, scrubbed clean version of the slave experience. Full review forthcoming on www.slatebreakers.com.
srenee213's review
4.0
I loved the "Dear America" series growing up and for quite some time, I remember Clotee's story being my favorite.
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