No More!: Stories and Songs of Slave Resistance

by Doreen Rappaport, Shane W. Evans (Illustrator)

True vignettes and traditional verse, set against starkly powerful images, tell the story of enslaved Africans in America as it has never been told before.

A man who cannot swim leaps off a slave ship into the dark water. A girl defies the law by secretly learning to read and write. A future abolitionist regains his will to live by fighting off his captor with his bare "I will not let you use me like a brute any longer," Frederick Douglass vows. Drawing from authentic accounts, here is a chronology of resistance in all its comical trickster tales about outwitting "Old Marsa"; secret "hush harbors" where Africans instill Christian worship with their own rituals; and spirituals such as "Go Down Moses," whose coded lyrics signal not just hope for deliverance, but an active call to escape. 

Boldly illustrated with extraordinary oil paintings by award-winning artist Shane W. Evans, and meticulously researched by Doreen Rappaport, this stunning collection — spanning the period from the early days of slavery to the Emancipation Proclamation — is an invaluable resource for teachers, parents, libraries, students, and people everywhere who care about what it means to be free, what it is to be human. Back matter includes important dates, a bibliography, resources for further information, and an index.

Genres: History, African American, Cultural, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Biography

64 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2001

About the author

Doreen Rappaport has written many books of fiction and nonfiction for young readers, specializing in thoroughly researched multicultural history, historical fiction, retellings of folktales and myths, and stories of those she calls the "not-yet-celebrated." Among her recent books is Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, which received a Caldecott Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration. Doreen Rappaport divides her time between New York City and a rural village in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Krystie Herndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for grade-schoolers, to gain a better understanding of the truths about enslaved Black people in America. So many of these cool books to discover!

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I requested this from my university's library, I didn't realize it was a children's book. I had some problems with this--first, for children, it may be confusing, as she skips around between her fictionalized accounts and directly from memoirs, and she doesn't elaborate much on any 1 person or event. I was also puzzled by her inclusion of some historical figures and not others--no mention of Sojourner Truth or Harriet Jacobs, while spending time on Booker T. Washington's childhood. And where is Phillis Wheatley?

But, for people who know little about the North American slave trade, this might be a good primer, and it's accessible enough for children. Rappaport includes a works cited page, as well as recommended books for further reading and a timeline of major events. I think I had the biggest problem with the timeline--it includes Douglass' fight with Covey, for example, but nothing about the 14th and 15th Amendments. While Douglass' defeat of Covey was a turning point for Douglass personally, Douglass' work with Garrison, his escape, and publication of his autobiography are much more important moments to abolition. But, again, this is a good introduction and covers a great deal of time, which many tend to forget or overlook in regards to slavery.

2023: I didn't realize I'd already read this until checking Goodreads, so that goes to show how little this book impressed me. I own a copy--it was given to me by a colleague--and as I reread it, I realized one major issue I have this time is with the illustrations. Some are almost grotesque to me, and not because of the subject matter (though that certainly doesn't help).

[Elizabeth]

Subgroup: Stories of Slavery
Genre: Poetry, Song
Topics: Slavery, slave trade, escape, negro spirituals, abolisionists, Civil War, Underground Railroad
Synopsis: This book is a compilation of several different stories from many people throughout the time of slavery and the Civil War. It also includes poems written by African American authors, and negro spirituals. It gives many different points of view throughout the book and focuses more on the individual experiences being part of a whole group of experiences.

[(NS) Heatherk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly illustrated book about slave resistance. The entire book is a collection of short stories, poems, and songs about the grim struggles African Americans had to face. There are stories about coming over with the cargo to the ratification of the 13th Amendment.

I was intrigued that Rappaport was motivated to research and work collaboratively with Shane Evans who interpreted these events. Respect was given to the original sources as well.

A fantastic pick!

[Diane Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being stolen from their homeland and brought to a new world in slavery, African Americans began using songs, stories, and poetry to rise above this existence. True stories of strong, proud men and women blended with song and folk tales stand as examples of how these brave people valiantly resisted slavery.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

slavery is topic but includes many diff people like frederick douglass and harriet tubman. lots of good illustrations

[Stephanie Borges Folarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be added to the Future Folarin Progeny library.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many stories of the lives of slaves, including formerly unknown's and also famous folk like Frederick Douglas and Nat Turner. And I learned some facts that surprise me, both because no one ever taught me these things before, and because they are unexpected. For example, the first place slavery was made legal in America was Massechsetts, in 1641, 70 or so years before independence. Connecticut next, in 1650; Virginia in1661; Maryland, New York and New Jersey in 1664; finally a southern state in 1682; Rhode Island and Pennsylvania in 1700, North Carolina in 1715 and Georgia in 1750. By 1804 all the northern states, north of Delaware, abolished slavery - as we know, though, it held out in the southern states, and we feel the division caused by centuries of enslaving other humans, even to this day.

Great information, and every kid should dave a chance to read this.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful book is filled with narratives from the beginning of American slavery to liberation--some fictional narratives, some nonfiction, but all are accompanied with beautiful illustrations and songs of resistance.  Evans' illustrations lend credence to the horrors of slavery and to the bravery of the enslaved, just as Rappaport succeeds in sharing stories and educating readers as to the difficulties and struggles enslaved folks had as they sought freedom.  

Review cross-listed here!

[Jose Agosto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keywords: Slavery, Rebellion

Author Doreen Rappaport uses real stories to put readers in the shoes of 11 individuals while highlighting the multiple forms of slave resistance, such as rebellion, protests, escape, poems, beliefs, and music.

The texture used in this book looks like the illustrator used a paint brush style to create a cartoonish feeling to the drawings. She uses mostly dark colors and shades to show sadness but also uses brighter colors to show happiness as well.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great compilation of stories and songs that describe and show the ways African Americans resisted enslavement.

[Phannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the stories and the music accompanying them.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is gorgeous