Liberty Street

by Candice Ransom

Kezia's secret Sundays have the power to set her free. I was born on wash day.
"Did you have to work that day?" I once asked Mama.
"Our people work every day, Kezia," she said. They must work all week except on Sunday afternoons, when Missus Grace's slaves are free to travel through town and visit with friends. Glorious Sundays, when slaves throughout Fredericksburg walk along the dirt path they call Liberty Street, making small journeys that give them the only taste of freedom they can ever have. Soon Sundays take on an even deeper meaning when Kezia joins a secret school to learn to read―even though it is forbidden to slaves. Meanwhile, Mama works frantically to earn extra money to buy Kezia's freedom from Missus Grace before she is bonded out to another family far away. Liberty Street is a moving story of courage and love, and a testament to those in the antebellum South who risked all in the name of knowledge and freedom.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Cultural, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about an enslaved family is supposed to be suitable for children aged 6 to 9. I don't think so.

In my view, this is way too early for children to revisit the pain of American slavery. Let them study this painful history when they're at least 13.

All the strong feelings about Sunday afternoons on Liberty Street, and struggling to buy a daughter's freedom... how well does that prepare any young child to live well now?

Sure, it's beautifully done, both narration and pictures. Sure, I'll give it FIVE STARS.

If some of you Goodreaders choose to share this book with older children, good for you.
If you choose to read this book to younger children, who will live with the consequences, author Candice Ransom or YOU?

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

pre Civil War Fredericksburg, Virginia . gr 1-5

Kazia describes how on Sunday afternoons slaves use Liberty Street to travel around town visiting friends and experiencing "a taste of freedom". Kazia attends a secret school on Sundays to learn how to read. When her mother learns that Kazia will be bonded out to another family, Kazia's mother works to find a way to free her.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the main characters commitment to learning and the bravery it took her to follow her way out of slavery.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing people. So very brave

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next time I'm in Fredericksburg I am looking for this street!

[Jennifer Lanman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about African Americans and how they were slaves to the White people. It tells a story of a young girl longing to be free and becoming a teacher. This book could be told through the pictures itself. Its a good inspirational story and gives a good perspective of how the African Americans felt back when we had slavery. This book could be used in social studies on the lesson of slavery. This book can be read aloud and then kids can draw a map of the US and color code where African Americans were free and not free.(North vs. South) Then do a comprehension activity (on why the South had slaves and the North did not) to follow. Would be good to use for a 2nd grade class going into 3rd grade. It takes about a subject that older students will understand. There are longer paragraph that take up more of the page. It does not use repetition and can be used as a transitional book.

[Haley Whitehall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written and illustrated picture about slavery. The little girl learns to read in a secret school called Liberty Street, and it is there she learns about Canada. When she learns that her Missus is going to hire her out to her sister the little girl knows it is her time to escape on the Underground Railroad.

I highly recommend this book. It is one I am going to add to my library.

[Jenilyn Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about the days of slavery and the underground railroad. This would be a great book to read to children because that is a huge part of our history here in the U.S. It would also be a good book to read during Black History Month to teach children about how we weren't very nice to African-Americans in the past and how far we have come.

[Karalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helps students to understand slavery and the Underground Railroad from a child's perspective.

[Stephanie Tenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about slavery. Great for people of all ages. The illustrations in this book are amazing.