Amistad: The Story of a Slave Ship

by Patricia C. McKissack, Sanna Stanley (Illustrator)

In Spanish, Amistad means friendship. It was also the name of a slave ship. In 1838, the Amistad took hundreds of kidnapped Africans on a long journey across the Atlantic, but the brave captives would not give up their freedom, taking over the ship so they could sail back to their homeland. Patricia C. McKissack, Caldecott and Newbery Honor Winner as well as a three-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, recounts an amazing chapter in American history for beginning readers.

Genres: History, African American, Nonfiction, Africa, Picture Books, Childrens, American History

48 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Patricia C. McKissack was the Newbery Honor, Coretta Scott King Award-winning author of The Dark-Thirty and Porch Lies an ALA Notable Book. She collaborated with Jerry Pinkney on Goin' Someplace Special (Coretta Scott King Award winner) and Mirandy and Brother Wind (Coretta Scott King Award winner and Caldecott Honor Book).

Reviews

[Remy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific book for young readers. Highly recommended for a homeschool shelf and to include in an early American history study! I knocked off a star because the illustrations are really lacking.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great addition to a school library because this is not a topic widely talked about...especially for elementary readers. I liked it.

[Noelani · Rating 4 out of 5]

7 year old reviewed.

[Mari McR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for children for an overview of the historic voyage and courtroom trials of the Amistad passengers.

[Jenel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amistad is a story about an African man who was kidnapped and held captive on a Spanish ship called the Amistad. He and the other individuals who were kidnapped where able to set themselves free and took control of the ship. The group kept only two Spanish sailors alive who were to sail them back to Africa. The sailors tricked the group and sailed them to America. For two years of court cases the group fought for their freedom and where eventually freed and able to return to Africa. I chose this book because I have observed that in elementary school there is a lot of talk about Martin Luther King and other oppressed individuals during the 1900s, but not a lot of talk about slavery until middle-high school. I think it is important students understand that slavery was a part of American and World History. This book falls under the genre of non-fiction and is for grades 3-5. I would introduce this into my classroom by having a read aloud during either social studies or reading time, and then maybe use the book as an opportunity to delve more into the topic of slavery.

[Shayla Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Help children understand life on a slave ship with this beginning reader. It's not very long, so teachers can quickly discuss one of the many aspects of slavery, freedom, and early America. Integrate a quick Spanish lesson by researching what "amistad" means in Spanish and the implications of such a name for a slave ship.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear telling for young readers of the horrific story of Sengbe Pieh and the people of The Amistad.