My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth

by Ann Turner, James Ransome (Illustrator)

Here is the remarkable true story of how former slave Isabella Baumfree transformed herself into the preacher and orator Sojourner Truth, as told by acclaimed author Ann Turner and award-winning illustrator James Ransome. An iconic figure of the abolitionist and women's rights movements, Sojourner Truth famously spoke out for equal rights roughly one hundred years before the civil rights movement.

This beautifully illustrated and impeccably researched picture book biography underwent expert review by two historians of the period. My Name Is Truth includes a detailed historical note, an archival photo, and a list of suggested supplemental reading materials. Written in the fiery and eloquent voice of Sojourner Truth herself, this moving story will captivate readers just as Sojourner's passionate words enthralled her listeners.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Cultural, Historical

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 27, 2015

About the author

Ann Turner, also known and published as Ann Warren Turner, is a children's author and a poet.
Ann Turner wrote her first story when she was eight years old. It was about a dragon and a dwarf named Puckity. She still uses that story when she talks to students about writing, to show them that they too have stories worth telling.
Turner has always loved to write, but at first she was afraid she couldn't make a living doing it. So she trained to be a teacher instead. After a year of teaching, however, she decided she would rather write books than talk about them in school.
Turner's first children's book was about vultures and was illustrated by her mother. She has written more than 40 books since then, most of them historical picture books. She likes to think of a character in a specific time and place in American history and then tell a story about that character so that readers today can know what it was like to live long ago.
Ann Turner says that stories choose her, rather than the other way around: "I often feel as if I am walking along quietly, minding my own business, when a story creeps up behind me and taps me on the shoulder. 'Tell me, show me, write me!' it whispers in my ear. And if I don't tell that story, it wakes me up in the morning, shakes me out of my favorite afternoon nap, and insists upon being told."

(from: http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai...)

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm listening to The Narrative of Sojourner Truth as an audiobook, so I thought it would be a great time to read this picture version of her life.

"My mama was a slave woman called Mau-Mau
with sweet arms and eyes like a hawk
I had a daddy, too, Bomefree,

they loved all twelve of us
and had to see us sold off one by one
like horses for work

their hearts most broke."

Wow. Poetic writing, and big bright illustrations. I had no idea that Sojourner Truth had such a strong voice, such a deep spiritual heart.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her story is heartbreaking to me as a mother. Her courage and resilience is inspiring. This was an excellent read aloud book.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in her own voice, this picture book biography captures the childhood and emergence of Sojourner Truth as an orator and activist. The first pages of the book show the horror of slavery, the loss of family members when they are sold away, and the damage of loss, grief, battery and ownership. Then with her baby in her arms, Sojourner runs away, finding shelter. She eventually fought to get her son back with her, and finding her voice. Moving to New York City, she gains her new name of Sojourner Truth and begins to speak out. From wagon backs to formal lectures and then in print, her words travel and help destroy the institution of slavery across the nation.

Turner weaves Truth’s words into the text, creating poetry that is fiery and honest and burns with indignation about slavery. Using her own voice to narrate the story is a great decision, allowing readers to really see what has built the passion upon which Sojourner Truth draws again and again. The horrors of the loss of twelve members of her family never leaves her and it never leaves the book, as it begins and ends with that focus. The entire book is beautifully drawn and historically accurate. Readers can read the author’s note at the end and teachers will appreciate the book being reviewed for accuracy by experts.

Ransome’s illustrations are luscious and lovely. He shows the hard work, grueling labor of slavery and then with one page of running away, Sojourner Truth expresses freedom in the form of a large bed of her very own, something she has never experienced before. It is an image that is powerful and one that children will understand intuitively. As the book progresses, the images grow in power and strength as she comes into her own.

Strong, poetic and filled with history, this picture book biography of Sojourner Truth will be embraced by schools and public libraries alike. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The point of view narrative is sometimes rather forced and bordering on precious --with punctuation-less style to match-- but there were moments and illustrations I loved. Plus, I can see lots of possibilities for projects using this book with my American lit students.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sojourner Truth was a woman who was born a slave in New York State in the late 18th century. This picture book tells the story of Sojourner from a childhood in which all her siblings were sold away to being sold herself. The last owner kept her past the time that slavery was outlawed in New York. She ran away taking her infant son with her but had to leave 3 children behind. One son was sold by owners but she was able to get him back. Later, Sojourner became a preacher and spoke to groups about god and the evils of slavery. She also spoke at the Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, NY. This is a great book for Women's History Month as well as Black History Month.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book tells the story of Soujourner Truths. This begins with her birth as a slave with the name Isabella and carries the reader through a number of different eras in which she had a variety of owners. Some were particularly cruel while others were more lenient. In the process, there is a poetry to the writing that describes how Truth was able to not only be free but become a powerful orator for abolition and women's rights.

I really like the illustrations which had a strong sense of realism.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

wonderful illustrations. I wish the author notes weren't on the back cover.

[Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic and moving and beautiful.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a slave that escaped her masters to find the North and spread the truth of freedom and the love of God across the nation.

[Loren]

Rational:
This poetic text is a beautifully written story about this life of Sojourner Truth. There are many elements that qualify it as multicultural literature. This story has included factual information regarding Truth with authentic language. Truth’s determination to stand up and be brave in spite of popular opinion connects to students and promotes discussion in the classroom. In this text readers are able to notice beautifully crafted images by a Coretta Scott-King award winning illustrator and writing that depicts a woman standing up for what she believes in making history.

Connection:
Sojourner’s bravery in this text reminds me of Nobel Peace Prize winning Malala Yousafzai and environmentalist, Isatou Ceesay. Students will see a group of women past and present who make change happen. “She knows too much to ignore it now”
(Paul & Zunon, 2015)

Remembering: How were Isabelle’s parents described?
Understanding: Can you paraphrase Isabelle’s life while she was a slave?
Applying: What kind of questions would you ask Isabelle about her escape to freedom?
Analyze: What can the reader learn about life from this book?
Evaluating: As a group come up with 4 freedoms you enjoy the most today. How would you feel if those freedoms were taken away?
Creating: As a group create 7 freeze frames that sequence important parts of Sojourner Truth’s life


Paul, M., & Zunon, E. (2015). One plastic bag: Isatou Ceesay and the recycling women of the Gambia. Millbrook Press.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

When writing a book review I often ask myself, "Who and what am I reviewing?" Is it Ann Turner the author, or James Ransome the illustrator, or Harper Collins the publisher? I hold Harper Collins most responsible for the entire package, so this 2 rating is for them. My chief complaint, which should prevent any library from buying this book, is that Harper Collins was too cheap to buy another piece of paper and printed the Authors Note and Suggested Resources on the inside of the back cover resulting in book covers making 20% of the content unreadable! Ann Turner should not have allowed them to do that. I also wish she had incorporated more of Sojourner Truth's actual biographical information in her story. Solid biographies for younger readers are hard to come by and this story isn't a strong example. James Ransome's illustrations are colorful and communicate this emotional story.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done picture book biography for elementary students being introduced to Sojourner Truth. The narrative is honest about the horrors of slavery without being too much for young readers and listeners. A great way to open discussion about this topic of which many children of today will struggle understanding ever existed.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truth herself narrates her story in this picture book biography illustrated by James Ransome. I like Turner's frankness about the brutalities of slavery such as owners selling off children and beatings but I wish she had included her sources in the end matter.

[Ali Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! A little heavy for small children, but excellent for students around 4th/5th grade - as well as adults.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth is a children's picture book written Ann Turner and illustrated by James E. Ransome. It is a cursory biography about the life of Sojourner Truth from her humble beginnings of a slave to the preacher and orator.

February, at least in my part of the world is Black History Month, which I plan to read one children's book that pertains to the subject everyday this month. Furthermore, Sojourner Truth is today's (1 February 2019) Google Doodle, at least in my part of the world. Therefore, I thought this book would be apropos to read today.

Sojourner Truth (born Isabella (Belle) Baumfree) was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, Ulster County, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. After going to court to recover her son in 1828, she became the first black woman to win such a case against a white man. She gave herself the name Sojourner Truth in 1843 after she became convinced that God had called her to leave the city and go into the countryside to testify about the hope that was in her.

Turner's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The biography was written well and told the inspirational story of a slave girl who became a preacher, abolitionist, and women’s rights activist. It also includes a detailed historical note, an archival photo, and a list of suggested supplemental reading materials to further research. Ransome's illustrations are wonderfully drawn and depicted the narrative and the subject extremely well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It chronicles the life of Sojourner Truth from her humble begins as a slave to the inspirational preacher and abolitionist long before the civil rights movement.

All in all, My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth is a wonderful brief biography about an inspirational and influential woman.

[Erin Sturtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth, written by Ann Turner, tells the beautiful and remarkable story of Sojourner Truth. This book is a recount of Sojourner Truth’s journey to becoming one of the most famous and powerful leaders of the abolitionist and women’s rights movement. Her story begins as a slave named Isabella Baumfree. Told from Isabella’s perspective, this book provides incredible insight into this historical context. As a slave, Isabella and her family were sold from owner to owner. She shares some of the hardships and brutalities of being a slave. One day, Isabella runs away, taking her infant daughter in her arms. Her son Peter is sold away down south, but he eventually finds his way back to Isabella. When Isabella moves to New York City, she changes her name to Sojourner Truth, and she travels around to speak out and share God’s truth. Sojourner shed light on the horrors and tragedies of slavery, sharing her stories with those around her. The illustrations in this book are absolutely spectacular. The watercolor illustrations are large, vibrant, detailed, captivating, and bring the story to life. They take up the entire page, and do an amazing job of portraying Sojourner Truth’s journey. The story is also told in free verse, which adds to the beauty of this book. This book would be great for a 4th or 5th grade classroom. It is a perfect introduction into slavery, female leaders, the Civil Rights movement, and abolitionist movement. I think everyone should be familiar with Sojourner Truth and all of her accomplishments!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade level: First- Fifth Grade
Awards: None
Summary: My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth by Ann Turner is a biography on the life of Isabella Baumfree and how she became Sojourner Truth. Sojourner Truth was an iconic figure of the Women's Rights Movement and she spoke out about equal rights for women before the civil rights movement. This book is wonderful for young readers who are interested in learning about their country's history. The illustrations really bring the story to life and will captivate students of all ages to want to read this story.
Review: This book is a great choice for young readers who are interested in learning about their country's history and about women in history. I enjoyed reading this story of Sojourner Truth's life through a picture book. I would highly recommend this story to parents and teachers alike. Students will love learning about Sojourner Truth's life through this beautifully written story.
Classroom uses: This book can be used in the classroom to teach about women in history. Students could then research another woman in history that interests them, and then present their findings to the class. This is a great story for teaching students about activism as well.

[Cassandra Clyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working with preschoolers and their families, I am frequently encouraging participation in the 1000 books before kindergarten literacy program. After years of encouraging others to participate, I decided to participate as well, despite not having a child under five years of age, and lead by example. In choosing to participate, I decided to use the challenge as a way to become more familiar with the contemporary literary cannon for families with young children, and have begun to immerse myself in both fiction and nonfiction works available for young children today.

This book was another example of a fabulous memoir for children! The book speaks about Sojourner Truth’s early upbringing and her experiences while enslaved, and while providing factual information about the living conditions, etc. about what it meant to grow up enslaved, the information wasn’t gory in nature. The heartbreak that had to have been real for Sojourner was made apparent, however her strength and resiliency was also made apparent as she sought to build a life for herself through speaking and sharing her story. Overall, this was a great read about a strong, and resilient woman who persevered and overcame the many challenges she had to face.

[Julianna Jancuski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the historical biography about Sojourner Truth. This book details her life and how she was enslaved in America and eventually found freedom. Eventually she went on to own her own house and become a speaker that inspired others during that time. It was a powerful book with detailed vocabulary. I think this book could be eye opening for students who do not know much about our history. I was inspired by Sojourner’s courage and wisdom throughout the story.
I would use this book in my classroom when teaching about biographies as well as American history. I think a fun activity for students would be to read this book and then have students write their own autobiographies. I think another way you could use this book would be to have students read this story and then think of someone who inspires them, they could then do some research and write a biography about the person of their choosing.
This is a WOW book for me because of how powerful the story of Sojourner Truth was. I had never heard of her before and I am so happy to learn about her life. I think children should learn about our history and this is an age appropriate way to start to introduce our past. Also the illustrations are beautiful and the writing is very descriptive and engaging.

[Abbey Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Name is Truth about a woman who was born into slavery, and her name was Isabella. Her parents had twelve children and they were all sold away from them. Isabella gets sold into a family that speaks her language at first, but then is sold to some people who constantly beat her. Then, another family bought her and that master said he would let her free a year early but he broke his promise. She was determined anyway. She made extra wool to make up for the fact that she was leaving, got her daughter and walked and ran until she found a kind family to take them in. She worked for them for a few years and then she heard that her son was being sold away. She got lawyers and fought for son to be returned to her, and she won! Isabella become a Sojourner sharing God's Truth in meetings and gatherings. To find out how she got her story out, read the book. I liked this book because of the story, but the way that the book was laid out was slightly different than I have seen before. I think this book would be a great for a slave unit.

[Nancy Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sojourner Truth was one of 12 siblings, and each one of them were slaves. She was first bought into slavery when she was 9. She left Master Dumont with her baby Sophia and her son Peter was sold by the Dumont mistress. She got Peter back, she felt God was leading her East to preach. Sojourner Truth chose her name because she traveled far and told God's truth. People could not believe that she could speak the truth because she was an ex-slave. Sojourner told her story and went on the rode selling her narrative. This is a great story about how even though she went through many trials she still perseveres in spreading the truth. I enjoyed reading through this book and I love studying things from this time period. The pictures throughout the story really were powerful and I like how they filled the entire page. I think this book would be good for a 3rd or 4th grade history class, when you talk about the time of slavery.

[Emily Sammartino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sojourner Truth was a slave who ran away in search of freedom, determined to make a change and speak out for the rights of African Americans. She traveled all around the states speaking what she felt in her heart was the right thing, unafraid of the consequences and challenges she would face as a result. The illustrations throughout this book are beautiful, they fit the text so perfectly and it really adds to the mood the author is trying to convey. The story of Sojourner Truth’s courage and determination despite the evil she was faced with is inspiring and eye-opening.The story is told as if Sojourner Truth is speaking to you perosnally which makes the book interesting and allows the reader to feel as if they are connecting with her personally. I would definitely read this book again and to my future students so they can learn about Sojourner Truth and hopefully have their eyes opened to where we as a world have come from and the people we have to thank for where we are today.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is the remarkable true story of how former slave Isabella Baumfree transformed herself into the preacher and orator Sojourner Truth, as told by acclaimed author Ann Turner and award-winning illustrator James Ransome. An iconic figure of the abolitionist and women's rights movements, Sojourner Truth famously spoke out for equal rights roughly one hundred years before the civil rights movement.

This beautifully illustrated and impeccably researched picture book biography underwent expert review by two historians of the period. My Name Is Truth includes a detailed historical note, an archival photo, and a list of suggested supplemental reading materials. Written in the fiery and eloquent voice of Sojourner Truth herself, this moving story will captivate readers just as Sojourner's passionate words enthralled her listeners.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

[Mckenna Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: This book is the story of Sojourner Truth. It starts off with her as the narrator and she is a child of 2 slaves. She is one of 12 children and one by one they are each sold. Sojourner eventually grows up and has a few children. She runs away from slavery and becomes a preacher and teacher people about slavery.
Analysis: I enjoyed reading this book, it was very simple. the wording was difficult because it was from the point of view of Sojourner who had no education. Overall this was a very good book explains the life of a historical character.
How I would use this book in my class: I would most likely use this book during black history month to teach my kids about a very important black historical person. I could also use this book to talk about overcoming struggles of many types.

[Oak Lawn Public Library - Youth Services · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: My Name is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth
Author: Ann Turner
Pages: 40
Lexile Level: AD1180L
Summary: Sojourner Truth was born around 1979 to slave parents. She was sold several times before she finally took her freedom for herself and her daughter. Sojourner Truth chose her name because she would always travel and tell the truth. She became an activist for civil rights and delivered her antislavery message to many audiences. This picture book biography is written in first person and is a brief summary of her life. A more detailed Author’s Note at the end gives additional information.
Recommended for: This would be a good read-aloud to introduce Sojourner Truth and her antislavery message.
Reviewed By: Jen A.
4 out of 5 stars

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the fact that an effort was made to tell this in her voice...and let readers know that how her voice is portrayed often is very different from the way she actually spoke...but at the end of the day I don't think it's as successful as it might have been not in her voice as sometimes in a book like this you have to give information that comes across as weird when told in first person. It's a compelling narrative, though, and empowering when she takes on her famous detractor late in the book.
Note to the book designers of the world: please do not put back matter on the inside covers of books. It makes life very hard for librarians and library users when we have to cover such material with dust jackets.

[Tara Pinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

1.) No awards.
2.) Appropriate grade levels: 1st grade-5th grade
3.) Original 3 line summary: In this picture book biography, Turner goes over Sojourner Truth's journey. Using Sojourner Truth's words, she uncovers the tragedies of slavery and women's rights. Sojourner Truth fights for her freedom and brings awareness to women's rights.
4.) Original 3 line review: I thought that this was a powerful piece of literature. Overall, I enjoyed reading this picture biography. I learned many new facts about Sojourner Truth that I did not know before.
5.) One in class use for this life story would be having students list facts about Sojourner Truth as a history lesson.

[Iyana Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book is a nonfiction genre piece. this book is intended for all ages. a former slave Isabella Baumfree transformed herself into the preacher of Sojourner Truth. An iconic figure of the abolitionist and women's rights movements, Sojourner Truth famously spoke out for equal rights roughly one hundred years before the civil rights movement. I rated this book a four out of a five because I found this book very fascinating because of the plot which was about true person endorsements during slavery and after slavery time. this book would be very appealing for young readers because it is based on a true person.

[Lakisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Name is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth is an amazing biographical picture books. Grabbing a child’s attention while also conveying knowledge about someone’s life in a time and place that might foreign to them and their way of life and thinking is very important in biographical picture books. This story does an amazing job of that. The story has a tone that projects the seriousness of the subject without being dark. The images of the story compliment the tine of the story and grabs the reader attention while also telling a story of its own.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expected so much more from this award-winning writer-illustrator duo, but Turner’s disjointed, first-person narrative clashes with Ransome’s cartoonish illustrations, leaving disconcerting gaps in this supposedly historically accurate summary of a life called Truth. The Author’s Note in the back cover—which should have been included as end pages—would have helped to piece the narrative together, but half of it, along with bibliography, are obscured by the dust jacket.