Many Thousand Gone: African Americans from Slavery to Freedom

by Virginia Hamilton, Leo Dillon (Illustrator), Diane Dillon (Illustrator)

Unavailable for several years, Virginia Hamilton’s award-winning companion to The People Could Fly traces the history of slavery in America in the voices and stories of those who lived it. Leo and Diane Dillon’s brilliant black-and-white illustrations echo the stories’ subtlety and power, making this book as stunning to look at as it is to read.

“There is probably no better way to convey the meaning of the institution of slavery as it existed in the United States to young readers than by using, as a text to share and discuss, Many Thousand Gone .”
— The New York Times Book Review

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

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Virginia Esther Hamilton was the author of forty-one works of fiction and nonfiction. She was the first Black writer awarded the Newbery Medal and the first children's writer to be named a MacArthur Fellow (the "Genius" grant). She also received the National Book Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal.

Reviews

[Destiny Dawn Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of the book is taken from the lyrics of an old anthem called “No More Auction Block for Me.” Two verses of the song are excerpted near the end of the book, which helps to emphasize the tone of the book. The book explores multiple slave narratives, from the start of slavery in the Americas until the passage of the 13th amendment and the formation of the Freedmen's Bureau. Hamilton does an excellent job of drawing on a wide range of scholarly resources for her writing, including a large number of primary texts. She even includes excerpts of primary texts within the book, to give children exposure to the actual voices of people about whom she writes.

An excellent addition to the history curriculum, this book provides a great starting point for exploring the history of slavery and the Underground railroad. Hamilton has won the Newbery Medal and two Coretta Scott King Awards. The illustrators have won the Caldecott medal twice.

[Crista Goluch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting account of slavery in America. It begins at the first known trade, which is a year before the pilgrims, and ends with the Passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1866. What I liked about this book was that each "chapter" was the story of a person, either famous or not, and their life. The people used were sequenced so that time traveled along with their lives. Some overlapped. Some gave insight or foreshadowing into people and events to come. This is a good book because it personalizes and individuals slavery. This is an excellent complement to any unit on slavery.

[Antona Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, published in 1993, is originally written to bring hidden aspects of African-American history to children. For young readers, these vignettes, broken down into three parts of history, are accessible and inviting for further research and reading in later years. It introduces events and characters that schools often miss in teaching a cursory view of black history. The resilience of black people and the actions of white abolitionists is portrayed. This is a treasure and a great addition to an elementary school library.

[Makagbeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting and also sad. From the beginning to the end of this book, it all about how the system of human slavery all came about. For those who are so curious to learn about the struggles of slavery, this book are the best want that with tell you some of the horror of slavery. It with also tell you how slavery come to the English colony of Virginia in 1619. This book also talks about how twenty of African was stolen from their homes land by slave trader, to Virginia colony in exchange for food and other supplies. All of these took place one year before the Mayflower landed the pilgrims’ at Massachusetts. These religious bodies of Quakers known as the society of friend were against slavery and human trafficking in men bodies.

As you read this book, you with come across so many stories of innocent people, who were stolen from their parent during the system of human slavery. In this book, one of my favorite stories was about the price of Nigeria in West Africa. Ukawsaw was stolen from his parent at the age of fifteen by one merchant. Unkawsaw was sent to one English man in England, who helps him to pay his due to be free from slavery. And after that, he becomes a writer to stop slavery.

[Makagbehc6 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very interesting and also sad. From the beginning to the end of this book, it all about how the system of human slavery all came about. For those who are so curious to learn about the struggles of slavery, this book are the best want that with tell you some of the horror of slavery. It with also tell you how slavery come to the English colony of Virginia in 1619. This book also talks about how twenty of African was stolen from their homes land by slave trader, to Virginia colony in exchange for food and other supplies. All of these took place one year before the Mayflower landed the pilgrims’ at Massachusetts. These religious bodies of Quakers known as the society of friend were against slavery and human trafficking in men bodies.

As you read this book, you with come across so many stories of innocent people, who were stolen from their parent during the system of human slavery. In this book, one of my favorite stories was about the price of Nigeria in West Africa. Ukawsaw was stolen from his parent at the age of fifteen by one merchant. Unkawsaw was sent to one English man in England, who helps him to pay his due to be free from slavery. And after that, he becomes a writer to stop slavery.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children’s book ( the note I saw said ages 3 - 7 but not a bad overview for older children ) covering African American history through chattel slavery ( from 1660s to 1865 ). The book uses short stories of individuals to bring this time period to life. Most of these narratives are less than 2 pages in not quite as large as some children’s books’ print. Black and white illustrations throughout. Also, I found the book interesting as a 40 year old so that’s helpful if you are reading the book to a little one. The book is honest without being graphic and the author continues an optimistic note throughout ( appropriate for the age range ).

[Angie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great overview of the slave trade in America giving vignettes of different lives of slaves and how they sought freedom. Because of some of the graphic content, I recommend that this book be read by students 6th grade and up. Although an adult, I really learned a lot and am interested in reading biographies of some of these slaves' lives.

[Sidney Owens]

I have always enjoyed reading about the courage and the bravery that people have had to face as they have gone through slavery. I hate that anyone has ever been treated this way and it makes me think of things that I would have done differently had it been me and my family back during this time.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multicultural book.

[Cws]

J9737Ham

[LeeAnn G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving piece of work.

[Cassiejoan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure this book is! I found this listed on Heritage Mom's website and chose to read this as part of our homeschool. We were doing the 1800's this year so this was a great fit to that timeline, but it would have been helpful and eye-opening even if it wasn't "well-coordinated." Virginia Hamilton tells the story of African American slavery through vignettes of real people that experienced and fought to resist it. The short chapters made this great for adding to our morning routine but the impact of the retellings would have made this worthwhile even if it took more effort. My kids asked for more everytime we read it. I am so glad I bought this and read it. I will for sure be looking into more books from Hamilton and revisiting this title in the future!

[Alma Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very nice overview of this sad time in the history of our nation. It broadened my understanding of the Underground Railroad. I read about people that I had not heard of before. I read this book because it is Black History month. I would recommend it to others.

[Lynne Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Critical & concise introduction to the history of slavery in America. Painful, heartbreaking but important for a non-romanticized portrait of an array of historical figures who courageously risked and often gave their lives for freedom. These are names that we and future generations should know.

[Carole Dunham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I meant to get the book by Ira Berlin with a similar title. This was written for a younger crowd, but well written none the less. A compilation of stories of slaves, the underground railroad, and the many who escaped to freedom.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork. Inspiring, and often heartbreaking stories. Real stories, true stories, but told in a way that young minds can digest.

I will be looking for more of this author's work.

[Geo Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why it took me so long to get around to this book! It was awesome! It is a Good Read. I triumphed with all the victories and was sad at all of the defeats.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book for a project I was doing in school. I loved all the stories.