Once on this River

by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Now in Knopf Paperback--the riveting historical novel of a young black girl's shocking discovery of her true heritage. The first eleven years of Monday de Groot's life have been virtually untouched by slavery. But all that changes when Monday and her mother leave the safety of Madagascar and set sail for New York. The year is 1760, and Monday's uncle has been illegally enslaved by a wealthy Dutch family. Only Monday's mother holds the key to his freedom--and a secret book that could change Monday's life forever.

Genres: Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This young adult novel is about an 11 year old African girl named Monday who travels from her home in Madagascar to New York in the 1700s. Her mother, who was born in America, is returning to help prove that Monday's uncle (who was recently sold as a slave) is a free man. It was a very interesting read. I love historical fiction, and there was also a bit of a mystery in this story...something about her past that Monday's mother didn't want to reveal to her.

I did wonder, however, how much the author actually knew about Madagascar and what it is like for a person to go from a country like that to a country like America. Monday didn't seem to experience as much culture shock as one would expect. Also, Monday would surprise people in America by telling them about a "lizard that could eat a cow" which she said was called an alligator. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe alligators are actually American (found in southern states like Louisiana and Florida). I'm pretty sure that Madagascar has crocodiles, not alligators.

[Partridge Public]

Wyeth, Sharon D. PB

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free blacks in New York City in 1760. An interesting depiction of their community.