Growing Up in Slavery: Stories of Young Slaves as Told by Themselves

by Yuval Taylor

Ten slaves—all under the age of 19—tell stories of enslavement, brutality, and dreams of freedom in this collection culled from full-length autobiographies. These accounts, selected to help teenagers relate to the horrific experiences of slaves their own age living in the not-so-distant past, include stories of young slaves torn from their mothers and families, suffering from starvation, and being whipped and tortured. But these are not all tales of deprivation and violence; teenagers will relate to accounts of slaves challenging authority, playing games, telling jokes, and falling in love. These stories cover the range of the slave experience, from the passage in slave ships across the Atlantic—and daily life as a slave both on large plantations and in small-city dwellings—to escaping slavery and fighting in the Civil War. The writings of Olaudah Equiano, Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown, Harriet Jacobs, Elizabeth Keckley, and other lesser-known slaves are included.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, African American, Teen

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Yuval Taylor, whose books include Faking It, I Was Born a Slave, The Cartoon Music Book, and The Future of Jazz, lives in Chicago.

Reviews

[Dyannah]

This book was awesome. It is my kind of book mainly because I so enjoy learning of my history and the history of my people. I did learn alot and am very pleased that all of these folk were able to get out of the situation of slavery. We know that many were not as fortunate and died living and knowing the slave life only. So many of the stories impacted me but I guess the one I remember most was the one of the slave girl where here master continue to rape and exploit her. She could do nothing of this situation and he wanted to build her a house I would assume so he could have her whenever he wanted and the nerve of her mistress to become jealous and terrorize her more. Horrible. Wonderful book.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book features the personal accounts of ten slaves, all under the age of nineteen. Being enslaved as an adult would a horrific experience, and a huge culture shock, but being a child who is enslaved...I simply cannot imagine. How terrifying to be ripped out of your home, away from everyone you know, separated from your family and enslaved. These accounts were so tragic, but I believe they are very important. We learned about slavery in school, but it was a basic overview. We never really learned about the horrors of being transported on a slave ship in the conditions that people had to endure. We never learned much about the abuse, the beatings and tortures for "crimes" that were supposedly committed. When we did learn about slaves being whipped, it was certainly not mentioned that children our own ages or younger were subjected to such treatment. People always consider that it is important to have the accounts of the Holocaust and other atrocities for future generations to learn from, but it is not often mentioned that accounts from former enslaved persons are also important. I found this book to be very valuable in growing my perception of life experiences of enslaved people and that time period.

[Shadira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten slaves—all under the age of 19—tell stories of enslavement, brutality, and dreams of freedom in this collection culled from full-length autobiographies. These accounts, selected to help teenagers relate to the horrific experiences of slaves their own age living in the not-so-distant past, include stories of young slaves torn from their mothers and families, suffering from starvation, and being whipped and tortured. But these are not all tales of deprivation and violence; teenagers will relate to accounts of slaves challenging authority, playing games, telling jokes, and falling in love. These stories cover the range of the slave experience, from the passage in slave ships across the Atlantic—and daily life as a slave both on large plantations and in small-city dwellings—to escaping slavery and fighting in the Civil War. The writings of Olaudah Equiano, Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown, Harriet Jacobs, Elizabeth Keckley, and other lesser-known slaves are included.

Reveals what it was like to come of age under such cruel conditions. Stirring.

[Liza Maggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the intro. I learned so much about slave narratives. The collection is a good overview of the genre. I may, someday, read full-length versions of some of these. I would not recommend for readers younger than high school age, given the violence and implied sexual content. The tone, along with the horror, have a distancing effect.... at least on this reader. The narratives are very matter-of-fact, and the cruelty so brutal, I seemed, at least sometimes, to be reading something made up, something gruesome...like a Brothers Grimm fairy tale or a horror movie... yet, of course, the narratives are works of nonfiction. I'm glad to have read these firsthand accounts, however awful. William Robinson, one of the authors, writes, "These are some of the horrible deeds which have stained the pages of American history, and which it will take centuries to mitigate."

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great book to for all African American origins to learn a bit more about the struggle for them and hard it was. The is pretty dark and cruel but it taught of how great great great great grandparents had to live. The book will make you feel down and know how mean the white men where to the blacks. Spoiler alert Some of the later stories showed how the African made the best of what they had and gained and help each other out. I really do feel for the live that where lost just for the expantion of america.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains excerpts from 10 "slave narratives" written by former slaves between the 1780s and 1904. The focus is on the authors' time as children and teens and the stories are, of course, horrific. I'd never read any slave narratives before (Frederick Douglass was the only one of the 10 authors I was familiar with) and this makes me want to read more... and to learn more about slave narratives in general and how their focus (and goals) changed drastically over different periods of history. The editor's notes in this volume were a little weird/creepy, kinda trying to play into a narrative of U.S. redemption at times, but I did appreciate this opportunity to read primary sources.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing read of fragments from some of the most representative slave narratives published. It was such a great read that the fragments presented in the book compelled me to find the original slave narratives and read the full versions. If you’re looking for a good view on slavery this is definitely a great start and a good source for further reading.

[Caroline David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading. Growing up in the South, we actually read a lot of first hand accounts of slavery and I was always aware of how awful it was. I just never cease to be disgusted by the treatment of the people in this book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that is at turns sad, funny and chilling. It's hard to understand how white folks could rationalize slavery as anything other then a cruel, savage act. What the young slaves had to undergo is truly unbelievable.

[Ramona Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of true slave narratives. Not a novel... but individual personal vignettes of slave life. Some brutal, some poignant. ALL very sad.

[KP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually read this book 6 years ago - it's still a good one.

[Ally Puri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very heartbreaking but a necessary for every American.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narratives of slave life written by former slaves

[Lori Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching. A very difficult read.

[Lia Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing Up In Slavery
Stories of young slaves as told by themselves, edited by: Yuyal Taylor

So we’ve always had a good idea of what slavery was like but we don’t truly understand until they are told to us by slaves themselves and this is what this book does. This book shares all the stories of how slaves were truly treated, their lifestyle, how cruel and inhumane people were, it truly touched my heart and made me wonder how a person could treat someone so cruelly.
I really liked the book because it has very vivid and descriptive details told by people who were actually slaves themselves.
“These slaves overcame tremendous obstacles to learn to read and write…”.I think people who are interested in the cruel and disastrous things that happened in the past would really enjoy this book because this was one of the times that was cruel and disastrous. I rate this book 5 stars. It was so great!

[Merissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this for my 7th grade US History class. This collection of primary source materials is an indispensible resource for teaching about slavery. Students learn about other young people (like themselves) who endured great hardship as a domestic or field slaves. Both genders are represented. IF you are not interested in reading the longer story, Frederick Douglass' story is told through 36 pages of exerpts.

[Karen Okamoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction to this book was rather slow, ...but the true stories of slavery told by the slaves themselves was interesting, and enlightening. How cruel slavery was, and how courageous the human spirit was under such horrific conditions. Worth reading.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent, excellent!! It showcases the horrors of slavery, but focuses on the triumphs of individuals and on overcoming adversity. The book is comprised of stories (narratives) as written by the slaves themselves. READ THIS BOOK! This book is edited by Yuval Taylor.

[Cheyenne Christensen]

I really liked this book because it has REAL experiences of slaves. There are several slaves who wrote stories. Their experiences are each so different and so similar at the same time. I recomend this book for anyone! It is touching and i learned alot by reading it.

[Temoca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great but tragic stories about the horrors on slavery. I am using the stories for my social studies classes. They are just as moved and horrified as any caring person would be at the events we were so embarressingly a part of. These are great primary sources for students too.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am somewhat speechless with this book. Hearing the voices of those who lived through the ordeal of their bondage, made you actually feel it as you read this book. It bring to life the true struggle, in which people suffered.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really important read for me. It’s a compilation of excerpts from different biographies of people who were enslaved. It’s appalling, and enraging. I’ll never understand it. I hope to read the biographies in their entirety in time.

[Northwestern · Rating 3 out of 5]

- This book was brutal.
- It gives you images of how slavery was.
-The graphic scenes were shown in both pictures and words.
-It was interesting

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book also sad there where moments in this book that made me mad enough to cry but I really learned alot.

[Amy-Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received for helping at Friends of Lawrence Library Book Sale / very engaging book.

[Kurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and love every minute of reading it. Every black person should read this book, make you be a bit thankful of the opportunity we have now.

[Merredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok book, I just couldn't get through it and gave it away.