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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Amos is raised as the prince of an African tribe, until he is one day kidnapped by slave traders. In 18th Century Massachusetts, he lives in slavery for nearly the rest of his life, always remembering his proud heritage and the freedom that he once had. Finally, as an elderly man, he is able to regain his freedom.
A simply written story, based on true events, chronicles the life and hardships of one man before and after he is released from slavery. I thought that this book was a bit too abruptly written and factual, never revealing much of Amos Fortune's feelings or emotions, but it was still relatively well drawn.
Something that I strongly noticed about this book was its view of racism. The narrative voice of Amos also seems not to view slavery as an evil, but rather as the way of the world, which he was simply unfortunate enough to get caught up in. Despite of course yearning for his freedom, he also defends slavery and slave owners. At one point, Amos even expresses gratitude that he was kidnapped and brought to slavery, because his native tribe was (gasp) pagan and savage, and now he gets to learn about God and see technology that he would have never known about otherwise. When he requests his freedom from a slave-owning couple that he is particularly close to and addresses as his "friends," they instead sell him at an auction. Instead of recognize this as a betrayal, Amos gladly accepts this turn of events and hopes that the money his so called "friends" make on selling him will be helpful to them.
All in all, this is a book on slavery written in 1950 by a white woman, and her viewpoint shows this clearly. I can imagine white people reading this book to their children in 1950, while I cannot imagine African American women doing the same.
A simply written story, based on true events, chronicles the life and hardships of one man before and after he is released from slavery. I thought that this book was a bit too abruptly written and factual, never revealing much of Amos Fortune's feelings or emotions, but it was still relatively well drawn.
Something that I strongly noticed about this book was its view of racism. The narrative voice of Amos also seems not to view slavery as an evil, but rather as the way of the world, which he was simply unfortunate enough to get caught up in. Despite of course yearning for his freedom, he also defends slavery and slave owners. At one point, Amos even expresses gratitude that he was kidnapped and brought to slavery, because his native tribe was (gasp) pagan and savage, and now he gets to learn about God and see technology that he would have never known about otherwise. When he requests his freedom from a slave-owning couple that he is particularly close to and addresses as his "friends," they instead sell him at an auction. Instead of recognize this as a betrayal, Amos gladly accepts this turn of events and hopes that the money his so called "friends" make on selling him will be helpful to them.
All in all, this is a book on slavery written in 1950 by a white woman, and her viewpoint shows this clearly. I can imagine white people reading this book to their children in 1950, while I cannot imagine African American women doing the same.
This book was published and won the Newbery Medal 70 years ago and obviously that greatly affects the way slavery and racism are portrayed. However, that doesn’t make it any less problematic. To some extent the novel is based on the real story of Amos Fortune, but his story is sugar coated to the point of unbelievability. I would not recommend reading this with younger readers to whom this is geared without having a discussion about the issues with how Amos’s story is portrayed.
I think this is a good story. But I thought the book was kind of boring
I had to read this book for school. It’s educational. Th bets way to put it is I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone, but I wouldn’t tell them it is bad book if they told me they were reading it.
Not the most riveting or impressive biography of a black man out there, but an interesting biography all the same. Unique man born free, captured into slavery, and freed again by the sweat of his own brow. I was a little incredulous, as he had obvious good fortune to have two owners willing and able to grant his freedom. Certainly not the story of the average slave at the time of the American Revolution, but one who is likely remembered exactly because he was so fortunate, capable, and blessed. Appropriate for any ages, really, with good themes of charity, hard-work, and kindness.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Charming story about a young African man who was enslaved and made a life for himself as a free man.
Truly excellent--one of the best books we've read in our homeschool!
3.5-4 stars. Amos Fortune was a real man and this is his fictionalized biography. I can put myself 70 years in the past and see what a revolutionary book this is, but in 2020 it comes off as a bit patronizing and Amos Fortune seems a pollyanna at best, an Uncle Tom at worst. A prince, he was taken as a slave when he was 15, endured the Middle Passage, and was always looking for his younger sister among the slaves. He had the luck of being purchased by two "good" masters. The first, Copeland, a Quaker who integrated him into the household and paid him - treated him as an indentured servant. His death necessitated selling Fortune on, but he once again landed with a "good" master, Richardson, a master tanner who taught him that trade. When R died, Fortune was able to purchase his freedom from the estate. He does marry, purchasing his wife's freedom both times. The second wife, Violet,( and her daughter) journeys with him to Jaffrey where he sets up a tannery and they live out the rest of their lives. Several things struck me, the largest is that the American Revolution is mostly a non-happening and has no effect on the lives of the people of Jaffrey. The next is that indenture and slavery coexist side by side; Fortune acquires several indentures. At one point he also purchases the vendue/care of one of Jaffrey's indigent (a concept that was completely new to me). So is this Newbery still a valuable read? Yes, if it's used to discuss slavery vs. indenture and how vendue fits into a compassionate society. I read this for my 2020 Reading Challenge ( and my Newbery Challenge (Award 1951)
Really cool book! We read this out loud and it was amazing!