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Facing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglass, a Monumental American Man
Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) is best known for the telling of his own emancipation. But there is much more to Douglass’s story than his time spent enslaved and his famous autobiography. Facing Frederick captures the whole complicated, and at times perplexing, person that he was. Statesman, suffragist, writer, and newspaperman, this book focuses on Douglass the man rather than the historical icon.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2018
19 people are currently reading
1001 people want to read
About the author
Tonya Bolden
79 books186 followersAuthor and publisher Tonya Wilyce Bolden was born on March 1, 1959, in New York City to Georgia Bolden, a homemaker, and Willie Bolden, a garment center shipping manager. Bolden grew up in Harlem in a musical family and loved to read; she attended Public M.E.S. 146, an elementary school in Manhattan, and then graduated from the Chapin School, a private secondary school, in Manhattan in 1976. Bolden attended Princeton University in New Jersey, and, in 1981, obtained her B.A. degree in Slavic languages and literature with a Russian focus. Bolden was also a University Scholar and received the Nicholas Bachko, Jr. Scholarship Prize.
Upon graduating from Princeton University, Bolden began working as a salesperson for Charles Alan, Incorporated, a dress manufacturer, while working towards her M.A. degree at Columbia University. In 1985, Bolden earned her degree in Slavic languages and literature, as well as a Certificate for Advanced Study of the Soviet Union from the Harriman Institute; after this she began working as an office coordinator for Raoulfilm, Inc., assisting in the research and development of various film and literary products. Bolden worked as an English instructor at Malcolm-King College and New Rochelle School of New Resources while serving as newsletter editor of the HARKline, a homeless shelter newsletter.
In 1990, Bolden wrote her first book, The Family Heirloom Cookbook. In 1992, Bolden co-authored a children’s book entitled Mama, I Want To Sing along with Vy Higginsen, based on Higginsen’s musical. Bolden continued publishing throughout the 1990s, releasing Starting a Business from your Home, Mail-Order and Direct Response, The Book of African-American Women: 150 Crusaders, Creators, and Uplifters, And Not Afraid to Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women, American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm and The Champ. Bolden became editor of the Quarterly Black Review of Books in 1994, and served as an editor for 33 Things Every Girl Should Know, in 1998. Bolden’s writing career became even more prolific in the following decade; a partial list of her works include:, Our Souls: A Celebration of Black American Artists, Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl, MLK: Journey of a King, Take-Off: American All-Girl Bands During World War II, and George Washington Carver, a book she authored in conjunction with an exhibit about the famous African American inventor created by The Field Museum in Chicago.
(source; http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biogr...)
Upon graduating from Princeton University, Bolden began working as a salesperson for Charles Alan, Incorporated, a dress manufacturer, while working towards her M.A. degree at Columbia University. In 1985, Bolden earned her degree in Slavic languages and literature, as well as a Certificate for Advanced Study of the Soviet Union from the Harriman Institute; after this she began working as an office coordinator for Raoulfilm, Inc., assisting in the research and development of various film and literary products. Bolden worked as an English instructor at Malcolm-King College and New Rochelle School of New Resources while serving as newsletter editor of the HARKline, a homeless shelter newsletter.
In 1990, Bolden wrote her first book, The Family Heirloom Cookbook. In 1992, Bolden co-authored a children’s book entitled Mama, I Want To Sing along with Vy Higginsen, based on Higginsen’s musical. Bolden continued publishing throughout the 1990s, releasing Starting a Business from your Home, Mail-Order and Direct Response, The Book of African-American Women: 150 Crusaders, Creators, and Uplifters, And Not Afraid to Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women, American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm and The Champ. Bolden became editor of the Quarterly Black Review of Books in 1994, and served as an editor for 33 Things Every Girl Should Know, in 1998. Bolden’s writing career became even more prolific in the following decade; a partial list of her works include:, Our Souls: A Celebration of Black American Artists, Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl, MLK: Journey of a King, Take-Off: American All-Girl Bands During World War II, and George Washington Carver, a book she authored in conjunction with an exhibit about the famous African American inventor created by The Field Museum in Chicago.
(source; http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biogr...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 3, 2018
Fascinating book by award-winning author and researcher, Tonya Bolden.
May 4, 2018
I've read other books by and about Frederick Douglass and this one is the best, by far. It is full of photos of Douglass and other people he associated with. It shows examples of his newspapers, photos of his homes, even items within the home. Bolden makes a big deal that Frederick Douglass was so much more than just "an escaped slave who went on to lecture a lot." I highly recommend this book to readers, middle grades through adults.
September 10, 2020
Small book but loaded with information about his life as well as a few pictures and letters. There’s also a small bit of information about why black people didn’t trust banks. I always wondered why my late grandparents didn’t like putting their money in banks.
February 22, 2024
Frederick Douglass is a pretty fascinating figure in American history, and this book does a really solid job at covering the major points of his life, his activism, and his writings. That being said, it is a little dry (especially if it's for younger readers, as intended) and it isn't necessarily tackling Douglass' story in any particularly compelling way. I've also never encountered a narration quite this slow; I had the audiobook speed at 1.5x the entire time. So, it's decent but nothing special.
June 11, 2018
Frederick Douglass was amazing, but the way his life is written about here is very dry.
April 20, 2019
In the book Facing Frederick, the author not only shows the importance of Frederick Douglass’s life and accomplishments, but also juxtaposes it with his fascination in photography. This, in turn, made Frederick Douglass one of the most photographed men at a time when photography was still being developed. The book specifically chronicles how he escaped from slavery, set up a life in the northern United States, and then became a vocal abolitionist, who worked tirelessly to give speeches and develop newspapers to encourage others to join the fight against slavery. It also discusses how he traveled throughout Europe as well, trying to garner support against slavery, as well as trying to raise funds so he could continue his work back in the States. In the end, through his never-ending efforts for equality and his famous writings, Frederick Douglass became one of the most visible and well-known abolitionists, and a true champion against slavery.
This book would crossover especially well into social studies. While studying the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, Frederick Douglass is a name that features prominently among abolitionists and names to know for important contributions. This book could help students to have a deeper understanding of a person that they read about, as well as help them understand why Frederick Douglass is an important historical figure.
Knowledge: List some newspapers, books, or other publications that Frederick Douglass wrote or published during his lifetime.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, North Star, Frederick Douglass’ Newspaper, The Heroic Slave, My Bondage and My Freedom, Douglass’ Monthly, New National Era, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, etc.
Comprehension: Explain in your own words how Frederick Douglass worked to help get rid of slavery.
He traveled to many different states and countries to give speeches and to make connections to help slaves get to freedom. He also published numerous newspapers and books to help people understand how awful and inhumane slavery is. He spread the word so that people understood what his own experience as a slave was, and in doing so helped change perceptions about slavery.
Application: Construct an argument based on Frederick Douglass’s experiences that slavery is degrading and evil.
In the book, it says that Frederick spent many days hungry, and that he saw his aunt being whipped until her blood pooled on the floor (p. 12). The book also states that as a baby, Frederick was separated from his mother and lived with his grandparents, that by age 6, eh was taken to another plantation to do errands, and by age 8, he had been moved nearly 50 miles away to be a playmate for a slaveowner and to do menial work as well (p. 13). While trying to learn to be a shipbuilder and caulker, he was jumped and almost lost an eye from a group of men with handspikes (p. 14).
All of these experiences indicate that not only were slaves treated poorly, but they were treated in a degrading manner, as though they weren’t actually humans. Slave owners would never dream of taking their own children away from their mothers to be put to work in fields or on ships, but they didn’t hesitate to do so to slaves, including children. By beating the slaves for perceived wrongs, or for trying to escape, they instilled a sense of fear and inequality into the slaves, which in turn served to continue to keep them in a lower position in society for years to come. All of these things point to the fact that slavery is degrading and evil, and harms not only slaves, but also reflects poorly on the character of the slave owners.
Analysis: What inferences can you make about how important abolishing slavery was Frederick Douglass?
In the text, it says that “with increased fame, Frederick faced increased danger” (Bolden, 2017, p. 18). Not only did he face the possibility that he could be kidnapped and taken back to slavery, but he also had to deal with the possibility that his last owner, from whom he escaped, would hear about him and come track him down again and take him back to slavery. While his increased fame meant that more people heard his anti-slavery message and convincing story and reasons, it also meant that he made himself more of a target. I can infer that Frederick Douglass felt that even though speaking out against slavery meant increased danger for himself, he decided that it was worth it if his efforts helped convince others to join the fight against slavery.
Synthesis: Suppose you could travel back in time and work with Frederick Douglass. How could you use your own talents and interests to help him and his anti-slavery cause?
I enjoy reading, writing, and traveling. I think I would find it interesting to travel around the country or the world, writing articles or speeches to convince others stand up against slavery. The text says that Frederick Douglass sometimes struggled with health and with exhaustion from everything that he was trying to do, so I think I could use my interests and abilities in this way to add to his cause and also to help him.
Evaluation: Do you think that Frederick Douglass and his ideas and work are still valuable or important in today’s world? Explain.
I think that Frederick Douglass’s ideas are still very important today. While slavery is illegal in the United States, there are many other countries where it is not illegal. Likewise, many of his arguments were based in treating people as equals, regardless of their background, which is still a relevant topic today. In addition, Frederick Douglass’s work serves as a timely reminder of how important it is to stand up for what is right, regardless of being scared of the possible consequences.
Bolden, T. (2017). Facing Frederick: The life of Frederick Douglass, a monumental American
man. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
This book would crossover especially well into social studies. While studying the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, Frederick Douglass is a name that features prominently among abolitionists and names to know for important contributions. This book could help students to have a deeper understanding of a person that they read about, as well as help them understand why Frederick Douglass is an important historical figure.
Knowledge: List some newspapers, books, or other publications that Frederick Douglass wrote or published during his lifetime.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, North Star, Frederick Douglass’ Newspaper, The Heroic Slave, My Bondage and My Freedom, Douglass’ Monthly, New National Era, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, etc.
Comprehension: Explain in your own words how Frederick Douglass worked to help get rid of slavery.
He traveled to many different states and countries to give speeches and to make connections to help slaves get to freedom. He also published numerous newspapers and books to help people understand how awful and inhumane slavery is. He spread the word so that people understood what his own experience as a slave was, and in doing so helped change perceptions about slavery.
Application: Construct an argument based on Frederick Douglass’s experiences that slavery is degrading and evil.
In the book, it says that Frederick spent many days hungry, and that he saw his aunt being whipped until her blood pooled on the floor (p. 12). The book also states that as a baby, Frederick was separated from his mother and lived with his grandparents, that by age 6, eh was taken to another plantation to do errands, and by age 8, he had been moved nearly 50 miles away to be a playmate for a slaveowner and to do menial work as well (p. 13). While trying to learn to be a shipbuilder and caulker, he was jumped and almost lost an eye from a group of men with handspikes (p. 14).
All of these experiences indicate that not only were slaves treated poorly, but they were treated in a degrading manner, as though they weren’t actually humans. Slave owners would never dream of taking their own children away from their mothers to be put to work in fields or on ships, but they didn’t hesitate to do so to slaves, including children. By beating the slaves for perceived wrongs, or for trying to escape, they instilled a sense of fear and inequality into the slaves, which in turn served to continue to keep them in a lower position in society for years to come. All of these things point to the fact that slavery is degrading and evil, and harms not only slaves, but also reflects poorly on the character of the slave owners.
Analysis: What inferences can you make about how important abolishing slavery was Frederick Douglass?
In the text, it says that “with increased fame, Frederick faced increased danger” (Bolden, 2017, p. 18). Not only did he face the possibility that he could be kidnapped and taken back to slavery, but he also had to deal with the possibility that his last owner, from whom he escaped, would hear about him and come track him down again and take him back to slavery. While his increased fame meant that more people heard his anti-slavery message and convincing story and reasons, it also meant that he made himself more of a target. I can infer that Frederick Douglass felt that even though speaking out against slavery meant increased danger for himself, he decided that it was worth it if his efforts helped convince others to join the fight against slavery.
Synthesis: Suppose you could travel back in time and work with Frederick Douglass. How could you use your own talents and interests to help him and his anti-slavery cause?
I enjoy reading, writing, and traveling. I think I would find it interesting to travel around the country or the world, writing articles or speeches to convince others stand up against slavery. The text says that Frederick Douglass sometimes struggled with health and with exhaustion from everything that he was trying to do, so I think I could use my interests and abilities in this way to add to his cause and also to help him.
Evaluation: Do you think that Frederick Douglass and his ideas and work are still valuable or important in today’s world? Explain.
I think that Frederick Douglass’s ideas are still very important today. While slavery is illegal in the United States, there are many other countries where it is not illegal. Likewise, many of his arguments were based in treating people as equals, regardless of their background, which is still a relevant topic today. In addition, Frederick Douglass’s work serves as a timely reminder of how important it is to stand up for what is right, regardless of being scared of the possible consequences.
Bolden, T. (2017). Facing Frederick: The life of Frederick Douglass, a monumental American
man. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
February 28, 2018
Lots of good information about his life and what the country was like both before, during and after the Civil War. Photos were a good addition as was the back matter including a time line.
December 29, 2018
I'd read Frederick Douglass' memoirs before, but no books about him by another author. I'm totally mesmerized not just by his story (as many white people of his time were), but by the man himself. He sounds like an amazing person, and I've been working up to reading one of his many giant biographies when I saw this book pass through the library, I snapped it up right away, of course, and I'm so glad I did.
Our library classified it as YA, although I didn't feel like the writing was dumbed down. I learned things about Douglass I didn't know before, such as the alleged affair between himself and the woman who translated his works into German and was "close friends" and a frequent house guest with the Douglass family. or about the fact that Frederick addressed environmental issues in his first publication, among the many other issues he cared about. I also didn't realize the extent of the wealth Frederick accumulated by the time he died. I also appreciated more information about both of his wives, who Frederick barely mentioned in his books. There's still not enough information about them in this book for my taste, but this is a book about Frederick, not them, and had limited space to tell his vast story, so I guess I can deal.
I enjoyed the formatting. The parchment colored pages were easier on my eyes than bleached white, and I enjoyed the quotations strewn throughout the narrative, often by contemporaries of Douglass or newspapers of his time. There were also more photographs of Douglass than I'd seen before, and photos of many other important people in his life. The visuals and the echoes of the voices of those around Frederick were not only fascinating, but helped gain an even greater sense of the man Frederick Douglass.
I'll be adding this book to my collection of books by/ about Frederick Douglass, and I highly recommend this book to anyone--the storytelling and formatting are engaging enough for even teens, but the content, including less common photos of Frederick, is worthwhile reading for any adult as well, for an easy and engaging primer on the life of a great American. I think everyone should know more about his life, and this is an easy place to start.
Also, I've been saying this for years, but WHEN are we going to get a movie about Frederick Douglass? If ever an American historical figure deserved one, you think it'd be him.
Our library classified it as YA, although I didn't feel like the writing was dumbed down. I learned things about Douglass I didn't know before, such as the alleged affair between himself and the woman who translated his works into German and was "close friends" and a frequent house guest with the Douglass family. or about the fact that Frederick addressed environmental issues in his first publication, among the many other issues he cared about. I also didn't realize the extent of the wealth Frederick accumulated by the time he died. I also appreciated more information about both of his wives, who Frederick barely mentioned in his books. There's still not enough information about them in this book for my taste, but this is a book about Frederick, not them, and had limited space to tell his vast story, so I guess I can deal.
I enjoyed the formatting. The parchment colored pages were easier on my eyes than bleached white, and I enjoyed the quotations strewn throughout the narrative, often by contemporaries of Douglass or newspapers of his time. There were also more photographs of Douglass than I'd seen before, and photos of many other important people in his life. The visuals and the echoes of the voices of those around Frederick were not only fascinating, but helped gain an even greater sense of the man Frederick Douglass.
I'll be adding this book to my collection of books by/ about Frederick Douglass, and I highly recommend this book to anyone--the storytelling and formatting are engaging enough for even teens, but the content, including less common photos of Frederick, is worthwhile reading for any adult as well, for an easy and engaging primer on the life of a great American. I think everyone should know more about his life, and this is an easy place to start.
Also, I've been saying this for years, but WHEN are we going to get a movie about Frederick Douglass? If ever an American historical figure deserved one, you think it'd be him.
June 16, 2018
I'm always interested in Bolden's works because they're well-researched and appealing. This one doesn't disappoint though I reserve my judgement of awesomeness until I see the final copy since I had my hands on an ARC that indicated the final copy would be in full color.
I enjoyed the variety of quotes and the way the story unfolded, capturing what Bolden indicated she wanted to share-- that Douglass isn't a freed slave who made an impact, but so much more than that from the curiosity of his married life (and then marrying a white woman for his second wife after the first one died), his legacy as an orator, and his affinity for photography.
Though one thing bothered me (though if it's a choice because of the title of the book) that throughout the story she referred to him as Frederick when everyone else was referred to by their last name and how we typically refer to people? I'm curious about this and whether it made it into the final draft like this and why she chose that route.
I enjoyed the variety of quotes and the way the story unfolded, capturing what Bolden indicated she wanted to share-- that Douglass isn't a freed slave who made an impact, but so much more than that from the curiosity of his married life (and then marrying a white woman for his second wife after the first one died), his legacy as an orator, and his affinity for photography.
Though one thing bothered me (though if it's a choice because of the title of the book) that throughout the story she referred to him as Frederick when everyone else was referred to by their last name and how we typically refer to people? I'm curious about this and whether it made it into the final draft like this and why she chose that route.
May 22, 2019
As a seventh grade student I was required to read this book for class. Before I began to read I was attracted by its fairly small amount of pages (167), although I soon found out that it reads a lot slower than this. The pages are laced with visuals of important events, people, and newspapers. There are also many quotes on the pages about Frederick Douglass, but I hardly found myself reading these as they were often out of context of the section I was reading. I found this book repetitive and confusing, because it skipped around in time, so it was hard for me to remember what was happening and when. This book also had some hard vocabulary words, but not a huge amount, which makes it good for people around my age so that we can expand our vocabulary. I would not recommend this book to anyone younger than 12, but I think it is an appropriate read for anyone above this age that wants to learn some things about Frederick Douglass.
June 9, 2020
This book’s audience is young people aged 10 to 14. The writing style reflects that and is an easy read. It is also a decent read. Frederick Douglass led a full life, most of it in the public. This book is a great place for adults to learn the outline of Douglass’ life, and with the bibliography at the end, has idea where to dig in deeper.
The book is well decorated, with a ribbon around the edging and contains many photographs, woodcuts and other images. Frederick Douglass was found of photography and he sat to have his picture taken many times. It was said he was the most photographed American of the 19th century.
Since I received a free copy of this book at a library conference the advance reader copy I have is in black and white. It is noted the book is published in color. I’m sure it looks spectacular.
I was not required to write a review, but felt like it and, of course, the above opinions are my own.
The book is well decorated, with a ribbon around the edging and contains many photographs, woodcuts and other images. Frederick Douglass was found of photography and he sat to have his picture taken many times. It was said he was the most photographed American of the 19th century.
Since I received a free copy of this book at a library conference the advance reader copy I have is in black and white. It is noted the book is published in color. I’m sure it looks spectacular.
I was not required to write a review, but felt like it and, of course, the above opinions are my own.
July 15, 2019
I have always admired Frederick Douglass and was hoping for a book that would help young readers be as inspired by his life and work as I am. This book, unfortunately, wouldn't be it. I loved all the photographs. They really helped tell the story of his life. And Bolden did a good job of hitting the highlights of his work (I will always adore him for his active and ongoing support of women's suffrage), but it's a pretty dry read. Yes, it will give you a good account of his life, but I'm not sure young readers will come away from the book excited and inspired by Frederick Douglass, and that's what I was hoping for.
November 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this engaging, YA-friendly biography format, and Bolden's writing is illustrative and engaging. I found it difficult sometimes to follow her timeline, especially in the first few chapters of the books, though. Still, this is an excellent, accessible biography of one of America's greatest and most interesting men, whose philosophies and life still resonate today.
January 7, 2019
This beautifully designed book tells the story of an historical icon in a way that makes him come to life. Quoting from Douglass's own works as well as newspapers and letters and other documents, Bolden tells Douglass story in a way that young adult readers will find engaging and informative. The numerous photographs of Douglass as well as images of newspapers and letters help bring the story to life. The book focuses on Douglass's public life although his family life is included. I found it fascinating to read about aspects of Douglass's life that I wasn't familiar with as well as stories I had heard before. An important and well done biography of a man who left his mark on the world in many important ways.
May 24, 2018
If you like WHO WAS MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.? by Bonnie Bader or seek books depicting African-American leaders such as in TWELVE DAYS IN MAY: Freedom Ride 1961 by Larry Dane Brimner, pick up FACING FREDERICK: The Life of Frederick Douglass, a Monumental American Man by Tonya Bolden.
Bolden (author of CROSSING EBENEZER CREEK) has written a phenomenal biography on abolitionist and famed orator Frederick Douglass. Of course, he is known for more than those two qualities as Bolden highlights in her book. He wrote three autobiographies, edited an influential black newspaper, was a woman’s rights activist and achieved international fame as an inspiring and persuasive writer; Douglass truly embodied “a monumental American man.” He was a significant figure amidst the nation’s struggle between freedom and slavery. He was highly admirable as Douglass remained tireless in seeking to improve the lives of African-Americans until the end of his life. This narrative about a well-known figure feels fresh due to Bolden’s skilled storytelling.
Bolden captures this sentiment by launching the reader’s journey at the beginning of Douglass’ career. Rather than go the traditional route and provide readers with a straightforward chronological account, Bolden begins Douglass’s story with his first speaking engagement and the publishing of his autobiography. Throughout the book, other creative liberties are taken --- such as Bolden’s choice to make this book a mix between a chapter book and a picture book. She utilizes images to depict historical figures and events, and highlights quotes from Douglass’ works by enlarging and differentiating the style of the font. Sometimes quotes took up a quarter of a page.
Stylistically, the book went above and beyond. The book is designed beautifully with cream-colored pages, intricate red borders and many illustrations. The photos were plentiful and I believe this was done purposefully as Bolden emphasized Douglass’ love of photographs. Bolden includes not only photos of Douglass, but also of his family and many others with whom he interacted. She provides details about the type of photograph as well as the subject. In fact, Douglass is believed to be the most photographed man of the 19th century (when I learned this I was totally taken aback as I believed that achievement would belong to some rich white man). Also, the cover is just gorgeous and I am glad I can put this on my bookshelf. FACING FREDERICK: The Life of Frederick Douglass, a Monumental American Man is simply one of those well-displayed novels regardless of content.
Bolden’s writing is detailed and sophisticated, as evident in the flow of her words. She uses the right amount of narration and evidence. This balance is done so phenomenally well that I gave her the title of “Neil Degrasse Tyson of nonfiction novels.” Not only is it both entertaining and informative, but Bolden's book takes care to make sure readers can easily understand what is going on. Her writing is best exemplified on page 73:
“After Clay’s compromise passed in September 1850, thousands of blacks --- freeborn, freed, and self-emancipated --- fled the States, most for Canada. This exodus surely led to a spike in Frederick’s Underground Railroad work. He had been serving as a conductor and stationmaster since her moved to Rochester, about a hundred miles east from St. Catherines in Canada West (present-day Ontario). Anna was on duty, too. As Rosetta remembered, she was ‘called up at all hours of the night, cold or hot as the case maybe, to prepare supper for a hungry lot of fleeing humanity.’”
This book would be great for middle school and even high school libraries. Although it was an easy read, it did not hinder my enjoyment, and I learned a substantial amount of information about Douglass. Bolden’s back matter was extensive, including a timeline, detailed chapter notes, selected sources and index and photo credits. It is no wonder that this book was a Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner. I easily give this book five stars.
Reviewed by Melat E., Teen Board Member
Bolden (author of CROSSING EBENEZER CREEK) has written a phenomenal biography on abolitionist and famed orator Frederick Douglass. Of course, he is known for more than those two qualities as Bolden highlights in her book. He wrote three autobiographies, edited an influential black newspaper, was a woman’s rights activist and achieved international fame as an inspiring and persuasive writer; Douglass truly embodied “a monumental American man.” He was a significant figure amidst the nation’s struggle between freedom and slavery. He was highly admirable as Douglass remained tireless in seeking to improve the lives of African-Americans until the end of his life. This narrative about a well-known figure feels fresh due to Bolden’s skilled storytelling.
Bolden captures this sentiment by launching the reader’s journey at the beginning of Douglass’ career. Rather than go the traditional route and provide readers with a straightforward chronological account, Bolden begins Douglass’s story with his first speaking engagement and the publishing of his autobiography. Throughout the book, other creative liberties are taken --- such as Bolden’s choice to make this book a mix between a chapter book and a picture book. She utilizes images to depict historical figures and events, and highlights quotes from Douglass’ works by enlarging and differentiating the style of the font. Sometimes quotes took up a quarter of a page.
Stylistically, the book went above and beyond. The book is designed beautifully with cream-colored pages, intricate red borders and many illustrations. The photos were plentiful and I believe this was done purposefully as Bolden emphasized Douglass’ love of photographs. Bolden includes not only photos of Douglass, but also of his family and many others with whom he interacted. She provides details about the type of photograph as well as the subject. In fact, Douglass is believed to be the most photographed man of the 19th century (when I learned this I was totally taken aback as I believed that achievement would belong to some rich white man). Also, the cover is just gorgeous and I am glad I can put this on my bookshelf. FACING FREDERICK: The Life of Frederick Douglass, a Monumental American Man is simply one of those well-displayed novels regardless of content.
Bolden’s writing is detailed and sophisticated, as evident in the flow of her words. She uses the right amount of narration and evidence. This balance is done so phenomenally well that I gave her the title of “Neil Degrasse Tyson of nonfiction novels.” Not only is it both entertaining and informative, but Bolden's book takes care to make sure readers can easily understand what is going on. Her writing is best exemplified on page 73:
“After Clay’s compromise passed in September 1850, thousands of blacks --- freeborn, freed, and self-emancipated --- fled the States, most for Canada. This exodus surely led to a spike in Frederick’s Underground Railroad work. He had been serving as a conductor and stationmaster since her moved to Rochester, about a hundred miles east from St. Catherines in Canada West (present-day Ontario). Anna was on duty, too. As Rosetta remembered, she was ‘called up at all hours of the night, cold or hot as the case maybe, to prepare supper for a hungry lot of fleeing humanity.’”
This book would be great for middle school and even high school libraries. Although it was an easy read, it did not hinder my enjoyment, and I learned a substantial amount of information about Douglass. Bolden’s back matter was extensive, including a timeline, detailed chapter notes, selected sources and index and photo credits. It is no wonder that this book was a Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner. I easily give this book five stars.
Reviewed by Melat E., Teen Board Member
June 13, 2018
This book is well-researched but a little too dry. I think the author overcorrected in not conjecturing about Douglass' emotions and sticking solely to facts and correspondance, which leaves the reader cold. You do not get the same sense of what Douglass was going through as you do through other biographical works of civil rights leaders like March.
May 29, 2018
Coretta Scott King Honor Award Winner Tonya Bolden breathes life into this new biography about the former slave who dedicated his life to abolitionism. Her nuanced presentation of research demonstrating the highs and lows, faults and foibles of Douglass makes for interesting reading. If there are gaps in information, she notes why in the text. Bolden's writing style is casual, yet compelling to read, helping the reader learn what made him tick.
The format of the book is outstanding. Red borders on parchment-color paper gives it an old-fashioned feeling, as if published in the past. Since Douglass was one of the most photographed Americans of the nineteenth century, the book is chock-a-block with early photographs (daguerreotype, ambrotype, carte de visite, albumen print), engravings, oil paintings, handbills, and newspapers that extend and enhance the text.
Included in the book is an article about early photography, an author's note, the poem "Frederick Douglass" by Robert Hayden, a timeline of Douglass' life, citations for quotes, selected sources used, image credits and index.
Recommended for grades 6-up.
The format of the book is outstanding. Red borders on parchment-color paper gives it an old-fashioned feeling, as if published in the past. Since Douglass was one of the most photographed Americans of the nineteenth century, the book is chock-a-block with early photographs (daguerreotype, ambrotype, carte de visite, albumen print), engravings, oil paintings, handbills, and newspapers that extend and enhance the text.
Included in the book is an article about early photography, an author's note, the poem "Frederick Douglass" by Robert Hayden, a timeline of Douglass' life, citations for quotes, selected sources used, image credits and index.
Recommended for grades 6-up.
January 8, 2022
This book was recommended as additional reading at the end of "Stamped: For Kids" and after reading Douglass's "Narrative" a few years ago, I was eager to know more about this amazing man.
The book quickly goes over the facts of his enslaved life, and then the bulk of the book focuses on the 50+ years he spent working tirelessly to abolish slavery...and then to secure the vote for black men...and then trying to make sure those liberties were protected. He ran several newspapers, published countless books, gave speeches all over the world, held political office, and on and on.
It was so interesting to read about the groups of white abolitionists in the 1840s and 1850s; they helped Douglass get his "Narrative" published and they provided venues for him to speak...but they were vehemently against getting involved in politics. They believed that the Constitution was inherently pro-slavery, and thus our nation was inherently corrupt. To work within the existing system was to agree to it. Instead, they wanted to change hearts and minds through speeches and writing and in that manner get slavery abolished. Douglass thought hearts and minds were great, but realized that bigger changes could be made by getting involved in politics. When he started campaigning for candidates who opposed slavery, his early abolitionist friends cut ties with him and declared him to be "misled."
"Stamped: For Kids" repeatedly makes the case that everyone is a person, prone to good and bad, and there were times when I had to remind myself of that when reading about Douglass. It's tempting to think that someone who does so many great things is just an all-around perfect person, and so I would find myself feeling jarred when I read about something egotistical or sexist or inconsiderate that Douglass did. Douglass doesn't have to be perfect to be good.
This is technically a young adult book, but I think it's more for the 7th grade and up crowd. It's an extremely well-researched book, and the vocabulary is at a pretty high level. Still, the timeline is easy to follow, the text is clear, and the man's life is so incredibly interesting that I had a hard time putting the book down.
The book quickly goes over the facts of his enslaved life, and then the bulk of the book focuses on the 50+ years he spent working tirelessly to abolish slavery...and then to secure the vote for black men...and then trying to make sure those liberties were protected. He ran several newspapers, published countless books, gave speeches all over the world, held political office, and on and on.
It was so interesting to read about the groups of white abolitionists in the 1840s and 1850s; they helped Douglass get his "Narrative" published and they provided venues for him to speak...but they were vehemently against getting involved in politics. They believed that the Constitution was inherently pro-slavery, and thus our nation was inherently corrupt. To work within the existing system was to agree to it. Instead, they wanted to change hearts and minds through speeches and writing and in that manner get slavery abolished. Douglass thought hearts and minds were great, but realized that bigger changes could be made by getting involved in politics. When he started campaigning for candidates who opposed slavery, his early abolitionist friends cut ties with him and declared him to be "misled."
"Stamped: For Kids" repeatedly makes the case that everyone is a person, prone to good and bad, and there were times when I had to remind myself of that when reading about Douglass. It's tempting to think that someone who does so many great things is just an all-around perfect person, and so I would find myself feeling jarred when I read about something egotistical or sexist or inconsiderate that Douglass did. Douglass doesn't have to be perfect to be good.
This is technically a young adult book, but I think it's more for the 7th grade and up crowd. It's an extremely well-researched book, and the vocabulary is at a pretty high level. Still, the timeline is easy to follow, the text is clear, and the man's life is so incredibly interesting that I had a hard time putting the book down.
July 8, 2019
I am SO GLAD I randomly grabbed this book off my shelves before leaving for the summer (Although how many of us SPS staff have been in our schools since June 4? AmIRight?)
I purchased this book after my great nonfiction purge last year, but it hadn't been checked out yet. The cover is meh, but after reading it, the contents are anything but. The summer of 2017, my family took an epic road trip and visited Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York, where Frederick Douglass is buried. I knew very little about him, having only taught excerpts from his "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," and other than the fact that he was a suffragist and a freed slave, I hadn't spent much time learning about his incredible life.
Tonya Bolden's beautiful book paid homage to the unbelievable work that Douglass did to advance the rights of black men and women in this country. To simply call his legacy as that of a "freed slave" does not do justice to the lifetime he spent cultivating friendships and alliances that would aid him in having the plight of the black man heard by people in power. His ability to gain the ear of powerful men helped him work toward both the abolishment of slavery and their eventual right to vote.
His life's work is captured in this beautiful book, complete with incredible photographs and artwork that reveal the life of a man who many of us have heard about but know only a fraction of his accomplishments. Our visit to his gravesite was humbling, but after reading this book, I feel even more compelled to share with others what an incredible man Frederick Douglass truly was. Pick this book up, and you will not be disappointed. It is a speedy read, and the gorgeous pages will have you oohing and aahing over the book's structure as well. A must read for history lovers, civil rights lovers, and those who yearn to know more about distinguished Americans.
I purchased this book after my great nonfiction purge last year, but it hadn't been checked out yet. The cover is meh, but after reading it, the contents are anything but. The summer of 2017, my family took an epic road trip and visited Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York, where Frederick Douglass is buried. I knew very little about him, having only taught excerpts from his "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," and other than the fact that he was a suffragist and a freed slave, I hadn't spent much time learning about his incredible life.
Tonya Bolden's beautiful book paid homage to the unbelievable work that Douglass did to advance the rights of black men and women in this country. To simply call his legacy as that of a "freed slave" does not do justice to the lifetime he spent cultivating friendships and alliances that would aid him in having the plight of the black man heard by people in power. His ability to gain the ear of powerful men helped him work toward both the abolishment of slavery and their eventual right to vote.
His life's work is captured in this beautiful book, complete with incredible photographs and artwork that reveal the life of a man who many of us have heard about but know only a fraction of his accomplishments. Our visit to his gravesite was humbling, but after reading this book, I feel even more compelled to share with others what an incredible man Frederick Douglass truly was. Pick this book up, and you will not be disappointed. It is a speedy read, and the gorgeous pages will have you oohing and aahing over the book's structure as well. A must read for history lovers, civil rights lovers, and those who yearn to know more about distinguished Americans.
March 9, 2019
This was a nominee for the 2019 Orbis Pictus award but did not win which I think was a good decision. The writing style was overblown and probably an imitation of the way it would have been written in Frederick Douglass's time. There is a reason why that style isn't used any more. The excellent primary source photographs and their informative captions were the high point of this book. I was very impressed by the four quotes highlighted on p. 150, in my edition, of reactions from various publications to his second marriage, Helen Pitts, a white woman. It was an excellent way to demonstrate how controversial the action was and why. Even his children disapproved but continued seeing him because of how close they were to him. Bolden said in an afterword, that although Douglass figured in other books she had written, she had never researched him for himself and was curious to find out why so many schools, etc. were named after him. She concluded that he was a multifaceted person who did a lot with his life and was dismayed that most students seemed to know him only as a former slave when there was so much more to his life. This was no hagiography: Bolden showed the various dubious actions Douglass took at times from nepotism to the leadership of a bank that went under in dubious circumstances. She did comment that she thought "Frederick either was delusional or had been duped." She pointed out that "because of what happened to the Freedman's Bank, for years many blacks lived with a deep distrust of banks, preferring to keep their money tucked under a mattress or inside a tin can or cigar box stashed in a hideaway."
I was put off by the writing style but the research and photographs were excellent. Definitely recommended for purchase and pull it out during Black History Month.
I was put off by the writing style but the research and photographs were excellent. Definitely recommended for purchase and pull it out during Black History Month.
May 3, 2019
It was said that Douglass would never "...escape from being thought of as a runaway slave. Most white people never let him escape from being thought of as a runaway slave" (William McFeely in his biography of Frederick).
Until reading this book, I was one of those white people who could only see him as a slave who wrote his memories and them campaigned for abolitionists. In fact, reading his autobiography was assigned by a high school teacher and therefore, I didn't care too much about the man behind the text. I just did the assignment, got the grade, case closed. This book, however, does Frederick the justice that my high school curriculum didn't. Author Tony Bolden shows the extraordinary and talented MAN he was...not slave, but individual whose ideals and morals on basic human rights were more intelligent and accurate than anyone on this Earth (even to this day). This book is stunning in its informative nature, breathtaking in its use of photographs and detailed in the attention to Douglass as a hard-working crusader for all those who need a hero to fight the good fight. His dedication to human rights knew no bounds.
In addition to giving us this powerful account of Douglass, the way the author writes his story into the context of historical events is superb. It should be a staple of every middle and high school curriculum and I look forward to using it in my classroom.
Until reading this book, I was one of those white people who could only see him as a slave who wrote his memories and them campaigned for abolitionists. In fact, reading his autobiography was assigned by a high school teacher and therefore, I didn't care too much about the man behind the text. I just did the assignment, got the grade, case closed. This book, however, does Frederick the justice that my high school curriculum didn't. Author Tony Bolden shows the extraordinary and talented MAN he was...not slave, but individual whose ideals and morals on basic human rights were more intelligent and accurate than anyone on this Earth (even to this day). This book is stunning in its informative nature, breathtaking in its use of photographs and detailed in the attention to Douglass as a hard-working crusader for all those who need a hero to fight the good fight. His dedication to human rights knew no bounds.
In addition to giving us this powerful account of Douglass, the way the author writes his story into the context of historical events is superb. It should be a staple of every middle and high school curriculum and I look forward to using it in my classroom.
October 22, 2017
Frederick Douglass really was a monumental American man as the title of Bolden’s new biography states. This book due to be released in January, 2018 (I had a galley) for the 200th birthday of the great man has 16 pages of notes, a selected bibliography and a timeline. In the galley there is also space for image credits and an index. The body of research that went into making this book a reality is clear. The fact that is reads like a rags-to-riches story means it will have appeal from middle school through high school. Bolden also does an impressive job of weaving details about photography into the narrative which makes this a book that also explores technology of the time. Facing Frederick calls upon its readers to recognize new documents and scholarship about the once-enslaved abolitionist. It’s also compelling to read Douglass’s words in breakout quotes and captions. “They treat us not as men but as dogs and expect us to run and do their bidding. You degrade us and then ask why we are degraded—you shut our mouths and then ask why we do not speak. You close your colleges and seminaries against us and then ask why we don’t know more.” —Frederick Douglas
This reviewer wonders if any modern leaders are as relentless and tenacious as Douglass. What an excellent biography and one that should be paired with Milton Melter’s Frederick Douglas In His Own Words.
This reviewer wonders if any modern leaders are as relentless and tenacious as Douglass. What an excellent biography and one that should be paired with Milton Melter’s Frederick Douglas In His Own Words.
July 18, 2017
To clarify, I felt the book was a biography targeted towards (very) young adults, with simple words, large font and colorful pages. Perhaps it is. In ya- fashion, I felt that the author took many liberties in assuming how Douglass *felt* during certain moments or giving reasons to why he acted as he did in certain situations. These assumptions read as just that: assumptions. Individuals were introduced with little background and no chart to keep track of who is who so I found that the names, for me, became jumbled and required rereading. I also take issue with calling Douglass a feminist- within the book he is recorded as dubbing the journey of women's suffrage not as important or critical as that of African Americans. In my mind, attending one conference of female leaders does not a feminist make. The titles given to Douglass, by the author, were rightfully earned at best but grasping for straws at worst- making the read a bit of a jumble on an already great man.
The book was educational and a fast read.
Advice for any edits: Douglass was undeniably a great and revolutionary man, but this seems a poor attempt at deification. I would have loved a list, and descriptions, of the people in Douglass' life to help keep track of names (or faces).
The book was educational and a fast read.
Advice for any edits: Douglass was undeniably a great and revolutionary man, but this seems a poor attempt at deification. I would have loved a list, and descriptions, of the people in Douglass' life to help keep track of names (or faces).
July 15, 2018
The cover of this book caught my eye because I have already read Douglass's Narrative; I wanted to learn even more about him that the Narrative didn't cover. As I expected, Frederick Douglass is far more than just an escaped slave. His work as an abolitionist fighting for equal rights for blacks is very impressive. It is easy to tell that Tonya Bolden spent a lot of time to create this well-researched book. I also love the full color illustrations and appearance. However, when I read the timeline at the end of the book, I noticed that Bolden chose not to cover everything, which is understandable, but she also left out some interesting events such as how in 1877 Douglass met with Thomas Auld (his past owner) and how at Douglass's funeral the son of Douglass's last owner sent flowers. Additionally, the writing seems targeted towards young adults but I think this age group would actually appreciate this story more if the writing wasn't dumbed down as much. That is my main criticism because it takes away the meaningfulness of the story. As a result, I think this book deserves a 3.5 rating.
June 27, 2020
This one is a 3.5 for me, and it contains many fascinating details about the life and times of Frederick Douglass. If readers have heard this man's name--and I certainly hope that they have--then they may simply regard him as a man who escaped slavery and wrote a story about his experiences. But this book makes the case that he was so much more than that. He loved travel, music, and books, and was fascinated by photography. Drawing on periodicals, correspondence, and his papers, author Tonya Bolden suggests that we look at Douglass through different perspectives, seeing his talents, his struggles, his successes, and even his failures and shortcomings. In the end, readers will finish the book with a new appreciation for the man. I loved how Bolden made me feel as though I were living through those times with this man, and I wondered how he managed to deal with some of his disappointments and how oddly out of place he must have felt at times. The archival photographs and source notes as well as the vivid anecdotes and commentary provided in the book attest to just how monumental this man truly was.
May 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, considering it was a school-required book read by a middle-schooler. Before I chose to read this, I previewed a few pages and the cover. It looked intriguing because of the graphics and visuals were elaborate and visually appealing. I also like the format of this book because it used a good-sized, spaced-out font. To me, it made the book even more compelling. The length of the book was around 200 pages. This was not exactly a quick read for me most likely because I tend to be a slower reader, but sometimes, the pages felt like they took three times longer to read than a different book. Although, I think the author did a great job of informing the reader about Frederick’s life and work while maintaining the structure of, what felt like, a realistic fiction book, which I personally love. And Even though this book was meant for an audience of young adults, I definitely think that this book can also be read by a middle-schooler like me, as well. Overall, I’d say this is a good read, and I recommend it to anyone fascinated with Frederick Douglass.
July 29, 2021
"Racism put blacks in a double bind. 'You degrade us, and then ask why we are degraded - you shut our mouths, and then ask why we don't speak - you close your colleges and seminaries against us, and ask why we don't know more.'"
I know bits and pieces of Frederick Douglass' life from my American history classes and from what I taught about him when I taught 8th grade U.S. History. This book was a goldmine in information about one of the most influential men of his time. There were whole sections of Douglass' life that I had never learned about. The challenges he overcame were remarkable. I would definitely recommend this book to middle grade, young adult, and adult readers alike who would like to know more about Frederick Douglass.
I listened to this audiobook, which was done really well. However, I was very glad to also have a physical copy of this book on hand as the pictures that were included in the book added a lot to the listening experience. I would definitely recommend experiencing the physical copy of this one, even if you follow along while listening.
TW: racism
I know bits and pieces of Frederick Douglass' life from my American history classes and from what I taught about him when I taught 8th grade U.S. History. This book was a goldmine in information about one of the most influential men of his time. There were whole sections of Douglass' life that I had never learned about. The challenges he overcame were remarkable. I would definitely recommend this book to middle grade, young adult, and adult readers alike who would like to know more about Frederick Douglass.
I listened to this audiobook, which was done really well. However, I was very glad to also have a physical copy of this book on hand as the pictures that were included in the book added a lot to the listening experience. I would definitely recommend experiencing the physical copy of this one, even if you follow along while listening.
TW: racism
July 22, 2018
This is a fantastic book.
There's a scene in Underground where Cato, the evil guy, walks up to Frederick Douglass himself (technically an actor playing Frederick Douglass in 2016) and says, "Your first autobiography was remarkable but I haven't had a chance to crack the second one." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maoi2... This is a profound slap in the face to one of the greatest Americans we've had so far; something akin to walking up to Bill Clinton and saying, "I appreciate your work towards a more equitable America but that Monica Lewinsky thing was a huge mistake." You think that, but you don't do that. Never! You don't say that to person you're thinking the thing about because they're venerable, but it's true, and Tonya Bolden explains why Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is one of the most important books in American history but you haven't quite gotten around to My Bondage and My Freedom.
And I never thought I could be so cheesed off at William Lloyd Garrison.
This is a young adult non-fiction book, and since I'm not that familiar with Douglass' later life, I'm inclined to assume that it had some complexity that Bolden only brushed up against because this book is intended for eighth graders, but whatever she missed by not writing a doorstop biography is replaced by a wonderful feel for Douglass himself and his struggles and reality that is not bogged down in minutia or hagiography. (Apparently Lincoln didn't even remember meeting Douglass later on, although he did.) Read this, and then maybe get to all three of Douglass' biographies, because you haven't yet.
There's a scene in Underground where Cato, the evil guy, walks up to Frederick Douglass himself (technically an actor playing Frederick Douglass in 2016) and says, "Your first autobiography was remarkable but I haven't had a chance to crack the second one." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maoi2... This is a profound slap in the face to one of the greatest Americans we've had so far; something akin to walking up to Bill Clinton and saying, "I appreciate your work towards a more equitable America but that Monica Lewinsky thing was a huge mistake." You think that, but you don't do that. Never! You don't say that to person you're thinking the thing about because they're venerable, but it's true, and Tonya Bolden explains why Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is one of the most important books in American history but you haven't quite gotten around to My Bondage and My Freedom.
And I never thought I could be so cheesed off at William Lloyd Garrison.
This is a young adult non-fiction book, and since I'm not that familiar with Douglass' later life, I'm inclined to assume that it had some complexity that Bolden only brushed up against because this book is intended for eighth graders, but whatever she missed by not writing a doorstop biography is replaced by a wonderful feel for Douglass himself and his struggles and reality that is not bogged down in minutia or hagiography. (Apparently Lincoln didn't even remember meeting Douglass later on, although he did.) Read this, and then maybe get to all three of Douglass' biographies, because you haven't yet.
November 13, 2018
Having not ever read much about Frederick Douglass, I was inspired to read this compact, photo-filled biography written for young people. I learned so much about this monumental man. Told in chronological order, the book takes us through Douglass’ first 25 years in slavery, to his early years as a speaker and writer, to his heyday of making bank speaking and writing. His life was not without trial and tribulations: a fire, frustration with children who never flew the nest, public outrage when his second wife was white, insane politics that would not progress the cause of black emancipation and civil rights. I found it slow reading, mostly because it took time for me to assimilate dates and events into my mental timeline of American history. There are also at least 3 typos- the editor’s error, but it made for a jarring read in spots. What a solid read about an inspiringly monumental man.
August 27, 2018
I've been reading this one slowly, a chapter at a time, and it has managed that treatment quite well fortunately. Very carefully research and attributions do give the book a somewhat scholarly feel but there are so many interesting details that also contribute a feeling of seeing this truly monumental historical figure as a person. Particularly interesting was the section on voting rights and the issue of including women at that time.
Really excellent book design and production and the book is enriched by a large number of photographs and portraits. My favorite may be the one on the closing page of an elderly Douglass at his desk with a bookshelf in front of him that reaches to the ceiling. It is the only picture taken of him with his back to camera but it is so evocative. Extensive backmatter
Really excellent book design and production and the book is enriched by a large number of photographs and portraits. My favorite may be the one on the closing page of an elderly Douglass at his desk with a bookshelf in front of him that reaches to the ceiling. It is the only picture taken of him with his back to camera but it is so evocative. Extensive backmatter
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