Who Is Carrie?

Arabus Family Saga #3

by James Lincoln Collier, Christopher Collier

A young black girl living in New York City in the late eighteenth century observes the historic events taking place around her and at the same time solves the mystery of her own identity.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Juvenile

158 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1984

About the author

James Lincoln Collier (born June 27, 1928) is a journalist, author, and professional musician.

Collier's notable literary works include My Brother Sam Is Dead (1974), a Newbery Honor book that was also named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and nominated for a National Book Award in 1975. He also wrote a children's book titled The Empty Mirror (2004), The Teddy Bear Habit (1967), about an insecure boy whose beatnik guitar teacher turns out to be a crook, and Rich and Famous (1975), sequel to The Teddy Bear Habit. His list of children's books also includes Chipper (2001), about a young boy in a gang. His writings for adults include numerous books on jazz, including biographies of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington. He has also contributed entries on jazz-related subjects to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

In addition to his writing, Collier is an accomplished jazz musician who plays the trombone professionally.

Reviews

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lisa Reneé Pitts was a perfect narrator for this historical fiction novel from 1984, the story of Carrie, an enslaved kitchen servant living in New York City during the time of George Washington. The Colliers (brothers, not father and son as I original had thought), strongly capture the time and place, and seeing the events of the time through the eyes of an enslaved teenage girl was an interesting exercise, although I don't feel like we are even quite immersed enough in the time. I had read this before, long ago (before I started keeping track via Goodreads), and I'm not sure without Pitts's narration I would have finished it; I almost gave up but dove back in and I'm glad I did.

[Amanda Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, kids enjoyed it (9 12 yo). It's important to read and one more book to read to get a little grasp on this scar in our human history. Written in a way to get the point across without being traumatizing to young readers. Lots of pieces of actual history sprinkled throughout.

[Nyree McCollum]

Have you ever thought about kids in the orphanage, didn't know their parents, didn't know their background, or didn't even know themselves? No, literally sat down and thought about it? Well, I will happily introduce this Historical Fiction book to you "Who is Carrie." This Book is similar to the Book "War Comes To Willy Freeman." ***Spoiler Alert*** She later finds out that Willy is actually her older sister.(Which I don't know how because Willy's Mom died before she had anymore kids but her dad...ohhh that's none of my business *sips Tea*.
This surprising astonishing book takes place during the 1700's when President George Washington had just been elected as president. Carrie wanted to know who her parents were and who she was, but Mr. Fraunces didn't know her parents were either, all he knew was that somebody named Jack Arabus dropped her off at his Tavern when she was a baby. So she asked her bestfriend Dan, (***SPOOILER ALERT*** who she later finds out , that that's her counsin.) and he knew who Jack was because that's his dad. Then she was just siting around thinking then she figured it all out. The same old thief Captain Ivers was trying to capture her, saying that he had right he even kidnapped Carrie once ,but the old dumb thief forgot to lock the door and Dan helped her out. the type of Conflict is person vs. self.
I was angry about when that old-stinky-grouch- Captain Ivers when he kept trying to take Carrie in revenge for Willy and put her into slavery because he said he had papers and that he was going to take him to court. In the text it states, " We were headed to the white house(because she told him that she belonged to George Washington) and we knocked on the door and Horace answered. May I help you?, He said. And that's when George Washington came down the stairs and Captain Ivers asked," Do you own this child?" "NO!", Said George Washington" But she looks mighty sick bring her in here! See that's what you get. Thought you had another slave! I wish that she could have been able to punch him and get away with him ,but I guess I won't at. I think like that probably would have got her killed. I couldn't understand why he always want to get more slaves he's rich and he has a lot of slaves already.
My favorite part was when she was eavesdropping on the dining area ( where's she's not supposed to be especially when Mr. France's has guess) and she got caught hiding inside the clock!


















I rate this book on a scale from 1-5 a 3 because it got boring throughout the book and I wanted to stop reading. I would recommend this book to people who don't know their background, parents, or anybody else who just want to read it for fun. It will also, tell the people who don't know themselves that they're not alone. For the people who want to read it for fun can just know that people are going through and be grateful that it isn't them. So, as I close to an ending just remember think about them. Oh, and back to that how did Carrie come along thing when her mother was dead never mind Im not going to get in that! ***continues to sip tea***.

[Tawanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who is Carrie? is an Historical Fiction for the advanced reader ages 12-18. The book is about a young girl who has been a slave all her life but suddenly questions who she is when a friend wants to free his mother from slavery. Carrie doesn't know her last name or if she is indeed a real slave. I gave this book four stars because this book is very inforamtive and talks a lot about slavery. It is also very educational and enlightening on the things slaves went through in their life. It gives the reader a better understanding of the hardships they faced and what they had to go through to be free. I think this book would be a very interesting book to introduce to children during Black History month. Many children don't know, fully understand or have any interest in learning about slavery. I think if you can find a good read thats engaging and easy to read more children in this age group would be more compelled to read and learn about it. The book was interesting all the way to the end. It left me wanting to read more so that I could find out who Carrie really was.

[Caitlynn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was really good. I love the fact that she went through a lot of trouble just to find out where she came from and what her life was like before she became a slave

[Erin Forson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great as middle grade fiction.

[Shaland · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical book for kids to understand the era and issues. We read out loud to my 11 and 8 year olds.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I really like about the Collier brothers' books is how they really attempt to be historically accurate and tell history from the perspective of some unlikely people, especially in this series. Carrie works in a tavern and is a slave, but she knows nothing of her past and sets out to discover it. She gets herself into some trouble and a ship Captain comes around claiming that she belongs to him. She gets to work at George Washington's house and overhears some important historical conversations. This type of book has a lot of educational value (this is me speaking as a middle school teacher), but this particular book would have a lot of difficulty holding kids interests. I had little trouble since it was short and pretty interesting, but it was kinda slow and lacked any real action to keep young readers engaged. I also didn't love the fact that this had an open-to-interpretation (choose your own) ending. We don't find out what happens to Carrie, we have to guess. While the options given were certainly realistic, I think I would have appreciated a solid ending.

[Natalie Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book, Who is Carrie?, is an historical fiction that is very educational and vivid. It is an incredible book that I enjoyed reading. The book is very informative on the way slaves live in the north, and it provides details on how New York City is in the earlier times of the United States. Carrie, the main character, is a kitchen slave in NYC and has been one her entire life. She doesn’t know what having freedom is about and has never experienced it. New York is not the best place to live. Carrie is nearly kidnapped but she manages to get away. The reality is that being a slave wasn’t what anyone desired to be and definitely not one in New York.

Likewise, the book brings so much suspense that it is unbearable. Carrie being a slave, she didn’t know much about her history. First off she doesn’t even know her last name! She has a friend, Dan Arabus, who comes to town. He has a thought of trying to buy his mother’s freedom with continental notes his father left him. Carrie, of course, is willing to help. That same day she overhears a conversation between Tomas J., Alexander H., and George W., and what is said are startling truths about her own family. These facts will end up sparking more uncertainty on her real identity, and they will bring her to uncomfortable situations that are going to have a huge impact on her life. This story was preposterous and I would definitely recommend it to any ages between twelve and eighteen. It was enlightening, but also gave you the yearning to turn to the next page and keep reading.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Washington arrives in New York for his presidential inauguration, and Carrie slips away from Fraunces' Tavern to see the spectacle. While she is gone, a free-lance kidnapper captures her. Dan Arabus witnesses the kidnapping and sounds the alarm. When Dan and Mr. Fraunces rescue Carrie, they learn that the kidnapper was hired by someone. Later, Captain Ivers comes with a paper claiming that Carrie is his slave. It’s pretty obvious that the captain was behind the kidnapping. To protect Carrie, Mr. Fraunces takes her with him when he goes to work as steward at Washington’s presidential mansion. The only clues that Carrie has to her past are that Jack Arabus brought her to Sam Fraunces during the war, and that William Samuel Johnson's name was on Captain Ivers' paper. Mr. Johnson, remembers making up some papers for Jack Arabus, but he can't remember their content. Later, he does recollect that Jack got Carrie from a black woman working for the British troops on Staten Island. The child came with a paper signed by a British officer stating that she was free, and a Colonel Ledyard had something to do with the whole affair. When Carrie mentions the colonel's name to Dan, he tells her that Ledyard was Jordan Freeman's former owner. Piecing this information together, Carrie becomes convinced that she is Willy Freeman's sister.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taking place in the post Revolution years, this books talks about slavery during that time. Carrie has been a slave all of her life, but Mr. Fraunces has always treated fairly. Now Captain Ivers claims she is his slave, and she knows he will sell her into the West Indies if he gets her. However, Carrie has no idea who she is. She doesn't even have a last name, and more than anything she wants to find out her name and her parents' names.

This books gives a good account of slavery in the late 1700's. I would have given it 4 stars, but I didn't like the ending--which was actually not an ending at all.

[Nyerere]

Have you ever thought about slavery? No,literally sat down and thought about it, put yourself in their shoes and thought about, what they went through. No? Well, that's what I'm here for. To tell you about this Historical Fiction book. Hold on tight to your seats because this is a rough ride!

This doleful book takes place in the 1700's around the Revolutionary war in New York. Carrie wanted to know who she was, but nobody didn't know who her Mom was and nobody knew how to get in touch with her family. So, she went to go talk to her cousin Dan.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked "Who is Carrie?"! I thought the ending really left you thinking... I'm really glad Carrie finally (mostly) figured out who she is and where she came from. I think she eventually realized that she has good people (friends and family) already around her! When you finish the book you should definitely read the epilogue!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my favorite by the Collier brothers, but it does provide an excellent description of New York City in the earliest days of the United States, as well as an interesting portrait of slave life in the north during that time period.

[MissThomasloves2read · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story, old book, terrible cover

[Romello Hemphill]

can i read the book

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like non-fiction or historical-fiction slavery stories then I definitely recommend this book. To Kids and Adults that what others to get in touch with history.