Under the Freedom Tree

by Susan VanHecke

Taut free verse tells the little-known story of the first contraband camp of the Civil War—seen by some historians as the "beginning of the end of slavery in America." One night in 1861, three escaped slaves made their way from the Confederate line to a Union-held fort. The runaways were declared "contraband of war" and granted protection. As word spread, thousands of runaway slaves poured into the fort, seeking their freedom. These "contrabands" made a home for themselves, building the first African American community in the country. In 1863, they bore witness to one of the first readings of the Emancipation Proclamation in the South—beneath the sheltering branches of the tree now known as Emancipation Oak.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, History, Nonfiction, Civil War, African American, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

Reviews

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under the Freedom Tree does a fantastic job of weaving narrative with fact.  VanHecke's and Ladd's narrative and illustrations pull together so that the reader can empathize with the characters, understand the very grave and serious struggles they had, to rejoice with them when they were finally legally allowed their freedom.  This book isn't too serious, nor does it take the subject matter too lightly.  It treads the line of "just right".  Great for grades 2-4.

Review cross-listed here!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read by Stefan Rudnicki.

This is an interesting bit of history, a story of three men who escaped slavery during the American Civil War, paving the way for thousands of others to follow after them. Over the course of several years we see a town quickly grow and gain a population well into the thousands.

Appropriate for me to come across it, too, as it ties into another book I'm currently reading.

I think Rudnicki did a good job of narrating it. Might have been a bit better if read by someone used to reading poetry, but he did a decent job emphasising lines and keeping the 'beat'. It's easy to read, or listen to, as it's written in what I think is free verse. There's a definite rhythm that turns up at times in the writing.


Read on the Reading Rainbow website/app.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in verse, this tells the story of three runaway slaves: Frank, James and Shepard. They escape a confederate camp and find a Union General. The Union General decides that since Virginia has seceded from the nation, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 no longer applies and he allows the slaves to stay as contraband. Thousands more followed and camps were built by these contrabands. Missionaries come and teach them to read under the shade of a huge tree.

This has wonderful illustrations that bring these historical events to life. There is an author's note that gives further information and a bibliography. Well worth reading and discussing.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful poetic book about a crucial part of history! I LOVED this non-fiction picture book!!!!

[Courtney Antonson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of three men who were slaves that escaped a confederate camp. It tells their story of escaping the camp and become contrabands of war. Under the Freedom Tree, tells their story through poetry and tells the story of the beginning of slavery’s end. The plot of this book is a true story about the three men who escaped a confederate camp and found freedom by becoming contrabands of war. Since this is a true story, it’s purpose to bring to light what happened during this time period. This book mixes Non-fiction with poetry which makes the poem in the book very moving. I really enjoyed this book. I think it told the story of these three men very well and gave a great lesson on this historical time period. This was such a powerful and intense time in history and telling this particular story through poetry made the story feel even more powerful and important.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taut free verse tells the little-known story of the first contraband camp of the Civil War—seen by some historians as the "beginning of the end of slavery in America." One night in 1861, three escaped slaves made their way from the Confederate line to a Union-held fort. The runaways were declared "contraband of war" and granted protection. As word spread, thousands of runaway slaves poured into the fort, seeking their freedom. These "contrabands" made a home for themselves, building the first African American community in the country. In 1863, they bore witness to one of the first readings of the Emancipation Proclamation in the South—beneath the sheltering branches of the tree now known as Emancipation Oak.

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of three slaves (Frank, James, and Shepard) who escaped from the Confederate troops and took refuge with the Union troops in Virginia near an oak tree (now known as the Emancipation Oak...one of the Ten Great Trees of the World). Through a loophole in the law, Frank, James, and Shepard were not returned to their slave owners and were instead decreed "contraband of war". They still had to work (this time for the Union troops), but were eventually paid and were able to construct their own settlement (Slabtown), which many other enslaved people escaped to.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, this is a true story about three black men who bravely made an escape from Confederate troops who held them in slavery in 1861. Their success opened the way for thousands of others to make the same journey to seek freedom. Two years later they were legally free by presidential proclamation.
This story is written in lovely free verse and few words that give the reader much to think about and learn.

[Amy Lafleur Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the true stories of three slaves who escaped, as told in poems. There's also an "Author's Note" that explains the change in policy from the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act to the Civil War secession where Union generals refused to return slaves who escaped from seceded states. Richly illustrated and interesting book that gives a window into the escape from slavery and the history of the time.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a neat story! This is one of the things I love about youth nonfiction; I get to learn about things in quick little snapshots. I had never heard this particular piece of Civil War history but I'm very glad I know it now.

[Kelley Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite stories are always the ones that send me down Google rabbit trails into history and cultures that I never knew existed. I finished this book, and now I need to go find out about Slabtown - Where is it? Or was it? Curiosity is a terrible thing to waste.

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contributes to the vocabulary of injustice children and adults need to learn: own, work, beat, sell, slaves, shackles, whip, chattel, seceded, contraband, runaways, stowaways, “reading, writing--so long forbidden,” war, freedom.

[Cat Fithian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparse, non-rhyming poetry tells the true story of the emancipation of the slaves and the Freedom Tree in Hampton, VA. Beautiful illustrations.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in free verse, this picture book is the story of how the first contraband camp formed during the Civil War. It all started with three runaway slaves who escaped across a river to a Union-held fort. Though the Confederate Army tried to demand their return, the general at the fort declared them “contraband of war” and offered them protection and a place to live. The three were quickly joined by a flood of people crossing the line into Union territory and they began to build a home for themselves near the fort. The freedom tree is the Emancipation Oak which stood witness to the events that unfolded, including the Emancipation Proclamation, which set all of the residents of the camp free.

VanHecke’s verse is loose and beautiful. She captures the danger the slaves faced in crossing the Confederate line, the risks they took asking for shelter, and the clever solution found by the general. She offers an author’s note in prose to give more historical context to the camp and the Emancipation Oak.

Ladd’s illustrations are lush and detailed. His paintings capture the hope of emancipation, the darkness of escape by water and night, and the beauty of the oak. The illustrations clearly honor the first three men who escaped to the fort, showing them as they wait for the judgment of whether they must return to slavery or not.

A little-known part of the history of the Civil War, this book in verse pays homage to the courage of the men who created the contraband camp. Appropriate for ages 6-10.

[Sunshine Artadi]

Under the Freedom Tree is an informational text on slavery during the civil war time. The story is based on three men Frank, James and Shepard who escaped the Confederate States before the slaves were free.
This book requires pre-reading and a post-reading activities, and discussion about the time and history. This text is realistic, in which the time is delivered.
The first scene of the book you see three people; Frank, James and Shepard who are running away in the middle of the night and it looks dangerous they are run away slaves in the night during the Civil War.
This is a historical time, the freedom of slaves, and the Emancipation Tree.

It has very colorful pictures in which the characters are portrayed. From looking at the pictures you can see the expressions on their faces when the one person in the crowd is able to read the emancipation. It was also written primarily to give the reader factual information about dates and chronological order.


This book uses a combination of drawing, to show the characters expression on their faces and where they are going, and how they are going to get there. The most important thing is that dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tells about the events in the order in which they occurred, and provide a reaction to what happened. After the book and activities are completed the students should be able to organize ideas sequentially or around major points of information.

[Kristen I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under the Freedom Tree is a beautifully written and illustrated free verse poem that tells a little known, but very powerful story. Three slaves escape to a Union army camp in the darkness of night. In the morning they plead with the general not to be returned to their owners. The Union general comes to the conclusion that slaves can be considered contraband of war and the decision steers the course of history. More slaves run away to the camp, eventually setting up a town of their own. Volunteers begin to teach the escapees how to read and write under the shade of a big oak tree. Months pass and eventually, under the branches of the same tree, newly literate African Americans read of their freedom through the Emancipation Proclamation. This tree still stands on the grounds of Hampton University.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. First, I am fascinated by the Civil War and I had never heard this event recounted before. Second, the author chose such vivid language that I think this story could be enjoyed by students K-6 and higher depending on the context. Third, the illustrations add so much depth to the writing and the characters' feelings really shine through.

This book could be used for thematic units on bravery, freedom, the Civil War, or poetry (this list goes on). I think it's very versatile while still being simple enough for younger children.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

History, told through poetry. What a wonderful way to tell the story! This true story of three slaves who were working building for the Confederate army. Knowing that they would either go back to slavery for the owner who had loaned them to the army, or that they would travel with the army farther away from their families, three men made a daring escape. They turned themselves in to the commander of the Union army, who then refused to return them to the Confederacy...since the state had withdrawn from the Union, it was no longer covered by Union laws. More slaves joined the three men, and soon there were enough people to form their own town...Slabtown. There, the people worked for the Union army during the day, and eventually they were paid for their work. Under the Freedom Tree, they learned of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The Freedom Tree still stands. The artwork is extraordinary...dark when the slaves are still on the run, lighter when there is hope. A stunning tribute.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This narrative poem tells the true story of three slaves who escaped a Confederate camp in 1861 and rowed across the harbor to the Union Line. With the philosophy that whatever they would find was "better forward than back" they met Union General Benjamin Butler who claimed them as contraband of war since Virginia seceded from the United States and couldn't claim the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Were they better off as contraband than slaves? It seemed so. The American Missionary Association came to the Grand Contraband Camp and began teaching classes under a giant oak tree, and eventually the Emancipation Proclamation was read there: "We're free! We're free" Lives changed forever under the Freedom Tree. Beautiful illustrations accompany this fascinating tale of hope and courage.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When three slaves escape from a Confederate camp and head north, they aren't sure what will happen to them. The Fugitive Slave Act required runaway slaves to be returned to their owners, but a Union general finds a way to circumvent those requirements. The events that led to the slaves' freedom all occurred near a tree that came to be called the Emancipation Oak. It still stands today in its spot in Hampton, Virginia. The acrylic, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations highlight the rhyming text in somber tones as the men, Frank Baker, James Townsend, and Shepard Mallory, wait in anticipation of their fates.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about what life was like for slaves, who after being forced into service building walls for the Confederate Army, escaped to the nearby Union Army, who labeled them as contraband property taken in war time to avoid returning them to the Confederate States under the Fugitive Slave Act. It's a really cool piece of history that I'd never heard about before reading this book. The text is written in poetic verse with some non fiction end notes, and I liked the whole thing. Also, London Ladd beautifully illustrated the text. An extremely satisfying book about a fascinating piece of history.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical tale told in verse about three men who escaped a Confederate camp and were taken as contrabands of war when they crossed the Union line. The Emancipation Proclamation is passed not long after and the men celebrate with a crowd beneath a live oak tree that still stands today.

Acrylic, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations suit the tone of this text and portray the Emancipation Oak in all its maginificent splendor.

A two page author's note follows the story and a bibliography rounds out the back matter.

Recommended for classroom use in grades 5-8.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Poetic verse based on Civil War events that took place near an old oak tree in Hampton, Virginia. Three slaves escaped a Confederate camp to become "contrabands" of the war, and eventually many slaves "escaped" in this manner. They were later freed by Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Many of the former slaves gathered by the old oak--Emancipation Oak which still exists today. Pretty cool. I'd like to see that tree! Author's note provides more information on the events that occurred. Bibliography provided.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though students may be able to read the short phrases that comprise this story, many will need support understanding the imagery and historical context. Every time I've read through this beautiful book, there is something else that catches my attention and gives me the gift to just ponder awhile about what is being described. And I love how it keeps coming back to the grand oak tree that witnessed many of these events and still stands today. An Author's Note gives more facts about the events from the story and the Emancipation Oak.

[Jennafer Haskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the Emancipation Oak in Hampton Virginia, this book uses poetry to tell the true story of how three men who escaped slavery were only able to seek protection in the north if they were claimed as "contraband" from the enemy. In doing so the Northern authorities were able to protect these escaped slaves from being taken back to the South and eventually do the same for thousands of others. The story told here is amazing and important for children to learn and understand.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

If they could talk, the tales trees would tell would be astounding. Under The Freedom Tree (Charlesbridge) written by Susan VanHecke with illustrations by London Ladd portrays significant events in the United States during 1861, 1862 and 1863. An oak tree, still standing today, was a witness.

My full review: http://bit.ly/1heGDPU

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In addition to this being a great informational text on slavery, the language used in the book would be an excellent choice for close reading with author's craft. I enjoyed reading the repetitive refrain (the old oak tree) that is changed on the last page to "the freedom tree".

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The historical nature of this book presented in poetry was lovely and moving. It is best for mid to upper elementary readers because the concepts are somewhat more complex and could require some discussion.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetry structure makes this a fascinating book to read, but I particularly enjoyed the author's note at the end, which would make a powerful text pairing with the poetry. A remarkable story that children need to hear.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I opened this book, I was immediatly engaged. I think VanHecke did a great job of bringing the history alive, and making the figures relateable. The illustrations are full of mood, both dark and sinister, and bright and hopeful. Well done all around.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A very cool, historical narrative about the three runaway slaves who joined a union camp and were refused return by Union leadership thus opening the door for other runaway slaves. I felt that some of the wording/phrasing could be difficult to understand for the targeted audience.