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Freedom Ship
Samual and his family are born slaves. Every day they look beyond the harbor filled with Confederate ships, to the Atlantic Ocean, where the Union ships are--and potentially, their freedom. If only they could get to those ships somehow....Then, on May13, 1862, Samuel and his family risk it all to be free.
Based on a true story, Doreen Rappaport weaves a riveting tale of a boy and his family aboard the gunboat Planter. Captained by Robert Smalls and loaded with fellow slaves, the ship flees to the Union fleet to gain freedom from slavery and deliver much-needed ammunition to the Union Navy. Rappaport's suspenseful account, illustrated with the moody paintings of Curtis James, creates a vivid and relatable picture of this little-known tale of the civil war.
Based on a true story, Doreen Rappaport weaves a riveting tale of a boy and his family aboard the gunboat Planter. Captained by Robert Smalls and loaded with fellow slaves, the ship flees to the Union fleet to gain freedom from slavery and deliver much-needed ammunition to the Union Navy. Rappaport's suspenseful account, illustrated with the moody paintings of Curtis James, creates a vivid and relatable picture of this little-known tale of the civil war.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Doreen Rappaport
61 books77 followersDoreen Rappaport has written many books of fiction and nonfiction for young readers, specializing in thoroughly researched multicultural history, historical fiction, retellings of folktales and myths, and stories of those she calls the "not-yet-celebrated." Among her recent books is Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, which received a Caldecott Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration. Doreen Rappaport divides her time between New York City and a rural village in upstate New York.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 3, 2012
Freedom at Last
In Freedom Ship, writer Doreen Rappaport shares an inspirational story of Samuel’s slave family during the Civil War. The family escapes in hopes of gaining their freedom. Rappaport describes the determination of Samuel’s family gaining freedom and the life lessons throughout the story of never being afraid to reach your dreams.
The story begins describing Samuel and his family. They are slaves during the Civil War and want to gain their freedom. Samuel’s father helps on a boat. Late one night, Samuel’s mother wakes him up and they start running away with a few other slave families. They run to a boat and sail off to find the Union ships. This is how Samuel and his family gain their freedom. Doreen uses a quote from Samuel to show the audience the emotions of Samuel and his family. Samuel says, “Free! Free! The word covers my tongue with happiness” (29).
The perspective in which Doreen writes this book allows for a younger audience to make connections more easily. A younger audience will be able to relate to the character Samuel more because they are closer to his age. From telling the story in this point of view, the audience can see Samuel’s worry and excitement that are attached to gaining his freedom. The illustrations set the mood for the story and are a very good compliment to the perspective in which the book was written in.
The book starts out from a different narrator, Samuel’s great-great- grandchild. This introduction is somewhat confusing since the rest of the story is told by Samuel himself. This could potentially be a problem for a younger audience and have an impact on comprehension.
This book creates an emotional setting for Samuel and his family. Having the fear of being caught for running away and then the excitement and relief of gaining their freedom is very evident in this book. The detail of the story as well as the perspective in which it was written allows the audience to connect more with Samuel and his family. The detailed illustrations give the audience a better picture of the life of Samuel’s family. If you are interested in a heartwarming story about a family’s triumph of freedom, you should read this book.
In Freedom Ship, writer Doreen Rappaport shares an inspirational story of Samuel’s slave family during the Civil War. The family escapes in hopes of gaining their freedom. Rappaport describes the determination of Samuel’s family gaining freedom and the life lessons throughout the story of never being afraid to reach your dreams.
The story begins describing Samuel and his family. They are slaves during the Civil War and want to gain their freedom. Samuel’s father helps on a boat. Late one night, Samuel’s mother wakes him up and they start running away with a few other slave families. They run to a boat and sail off to find the Union ships. This is how Samuel and his family gain their freedom. Doreen uses a quote from Samuel to show the audience the emotions of Samuel and his family. Samuel says, “Free! Free! The word covers my tongue with happiness” (29).
The perspective in which Doreen writes this book allows for a younger audience to make connections more easily. A younger audience will be able to relate to the character Samuel more because they are closer to his age. From telling the story in this point of view, the audience can see Samuel’s worry and excitement that are attached to gaining his freedom. The illustrations set the mood for the story and are a very good compliment to the perspective in which the book was written in.
The book starts out from a different narrator, Samuel’s great-great- grandchild. This introduction is somewhat confusing since the rest of the story is told by Samuel himself. This could potentially be a problem for a younger audience and have an impact on comprehension.
This book creates an emotional setting for Samuel and his family. Having the fear of being caught for running away and then the excitement and relief of gaining their freedom is very evident in this book. The detail of the story as well as the perspective in which it was written allows the audience to connect more with Samuel and his family. The detailed illustrations give the audience a better picture of the life of Samuel’s family. If you are interested in a heartwarming story about a family’s triumph of freedom, you should read this book.
December 7, 2014
This historical fiction book is based on a true story of accounts of Robert Smalls, who has to deliver a Confederate boat to the Union Army. The ship is filled with an all-slave crew of the Confederate munitions ship Planter. It is the duty of Smalls to deliver the slaves to freedom. The story revolves around the main character Samuel and are about his accounts of his family's journey to freedom. The illustrations in the book were amazing. It truly brought the book to life and fit well with the theme.
November 16, 2011
I really like “Freedom Ship.” “Freedom Ship” is the true account of Robert Smalls’ journey to deliver a Confederate ship to the Union. The story is historical fiction based on research. In the back of the book writer, Doreen Rappaport, writes that she acquired information on Robert Smalls’ journey from newspaper accounts written during the period.
The story is set on a Confederate ship in Charleston, South Carolina during the Civil War. Writer Rappaport gives a real sense of being on a ship. She describes Samuel (the main character) standing on the deck looking through field glasses and seeing seagulls swooping into the water. She also states there are many Confederate ships in the harbor and union warships in the distance.
Rappaport undoubtedly had many questions when developing the fictionalized characters for her book. The most prominent being where did Samuel’s family and the other families find the courage to leave the south particularly in the way they chose to do so.
The main character in the story is Samuel. I like Samuel. He is inquisitive and curious yet he knows when to listen and not ask questions. The reader learns of the journey Samuel’s family took to freedom through Samuel’s eyes. We see the progression from slavery to freedom from his perspective.
My rating for this book is five stars. Children will like Samuel. They will root for him and his family to make it to freedom. The story is based on the real account of Robert Smalls who took the Confederate ship the Planter and delivered it and its ammunition to the Union army. The book is a great catalyst for a social studies lesson on Robert Smalls, students can do research on Smalls, develop a timeline, etc.
The story is set on a Confederate ship in Charleston, South Carolina during the Civil War. Writer Rappaport gives a real sense of being on a ship. She describes Samuel (the main character) standing on the deck looking through field glasses and seeing seagulls swooping into the water. She also states there are many Confederate ships in the harbor and union warships in the distance.
Rappaport undoubtedly had many questions when developing the fictionalized characters for her book. The most prominent being where did Samuel’s family and the other families find the courage to leave the south particularly in the way they chose to do so.
The main character in the story is Samuel. I like Samuel. He is inquisitive and curious yet he knows when to listen and not ask questions. The reader learns of the journey Samuel’s family took to freedom through Samuel’s eyes. We see the progression from slavery to freedom from his perspective.
My rating for this book is five stars. Children will like Samuel. They will root for him and his family to make it to freedom. The story is based on the real account of Robert Smalls who took the Confederate ship the Planter and delivered it and its ammunition to the Union army. The book is a great catalyst for a social studies lesson on Robert Smalls, students can do research on Smalls, develop a timeline, etc.
February 16, 2017
This work of historical fiction based on actual events will keep readers on the edge of their seats! A dramatic and brave escape attempt on a hijacked Confederate Ship by a small crew of slaves hoping to reach the Union Ships docked nearby and their freedom. A wonderful important read to share with elementary/middle school students.
April 24, 2016
This story is based from a true story and takes place during the Civil War. Samuel and his family are slaves during these times and try their best to gain their freedom. Samuel's families and other slaved families escape during the middle of the night by going on a confederate boat that Samuel's father worked on. They sailed in the boat to the Union ships where they would eventually find freedom.
This historical book is great for children when they are learning about the civil war and how slaves escaped to gain freedom. Many families went through a lot of struggle trying to gain their freedom and it is hard for younger children to understand that but there are so many books like this one that can help them understand those concepts. Stories are a good way to help a children learn.
The paintings used by Curtis James to illustrate this story are really good. The illustrations show the most important part of the texts in every page so children can get a visual of what is happening in the story.
This historical book is great for children when they are learning about the civil war and how slaves escaped to gain freedom. Many families went through a lot of struggle trying to gain their freedom and it is hard for younger children to understand that but there are so many books like this one that can help them understand those concepts. Stories are a good way to help a children learn.
The paintings used by Curtis James to illustrate this story are really good. The illustrations show the most important part of the texts in every page so children can get a visual of what is happening in the story.
October 10, 2013
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February 28, 2023
Read for English Reading Circle
Background information had to be given to the participants, and I then suggested they watch ' The Book of Negroes' tv series.
In the end they understood the gist of the background and the story.
Background information had to be given to the participants, and I then suggested they watch ' The Book of Negroes' tv series.
In the end they understood the gist of the background and the story.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews