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Picture Book Biography
A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth
An introduction to the life of the woman born into slavery who became a well-known abolitionist and crusader for the rights of African Americans in the United States.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
3 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
David A. Adler
402 books204 followersDavid Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.
Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.
Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.
As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.
(source: Wikipedia)
Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.
Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.
As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.
(source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 8, 2022
A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth (Picture Book Biography) by David A. Adler, Illustrator Gershom Griffith- Hindi language translation by Meenu Negi Rauthan- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Sojourner Truth, an Afro-American lady who who was born into slavery in New York. The book informs us about her experiences as a slave and what her feelings were like at the time as well. The book also talks about author's travels and how she wanted to make the world equal and fair for all different types of people. Her experience about being sold as a commodity during her lifetime did change the outlook about slaves in USA. She wrote her autobiograhpy. She was one of the first African-American women in the United States to win a lawsuit against a white man. She traveled the country speaking out against slavery and racist injustice, and for her efforts she met and talked with two different presidents. Introduce young readers to a remarkable story of a woman who always believed there was more work to be done. It is a thought-provoking book. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
Read
March 30, 2019After listening to Stuff You Missed in History Class' 2-part episode on Sojourner Truth [Part 1 and Part 2] in which I learned SO MUCH, I requested from my local library network all the picturebook biographies of Sojourner Truth.
This is part of a "Picture Book Biography" series and is more comprehensive than many picturebooks about her, though a bit dry -- though the illustrations are fairly good.
It was published in 1994 and says "slaves" instead of "enslaved people." It also uses "ain't I a woman?" in Sojourner's famous speech when it's unlikely she actually said that.
This is part of a "Picture Book Biography" series and is more comprehensive than many picturebooks about her, though a bit dry -- though the illustrations are fairly good.
It was published in 1994 and says "slaves" instead of "enslaved people." It also uses "ain't I a woman?" in Sojourner's famous speech when it's unlikely she actually said that.
April 8, 2021
Genre: Biographical Nonfiction
Grade: 4-6
This is a very good book about a very important person that helped in getting rid of slavery. Sojourner truth made a great impact in her life not only in ending slavery, but also living for God. This is a book about her life and the impact she had on different people. This would be a fourth through sixth grade book because of the length of the book and the amount of words on each page.
Grade: 4-6
This is a very good book about a very important person that helped in getting rid of slavery. Sojourner truth made a great impact in her life not only in ending slavery, but also living for God. This is a book about her life and the impact she had on different people. This would be a fourth through sixth grade book because of the length of the book and the amount of words on each page.
October 24, 2018
A good overview of the life of Sojourner Truth.
November 10, 2016
My Review:
1. This book received no awards.
2. This book is suitable for grades 3-5.
3. This book tells the story about a woman named Sojourner Truth who was born into slavery. The book tells about her experiences as a slave and what her feelings were like at the time as well. The book also talks about Sojourner's travels and how she wanted to make the world equal and fair for all different types of people.
4. I did not enjoy this much for the reason being that the book itself was a little dry. While the book itself has a lot of important and intriguing information about Sojourner Truth's life, I feel as if the layout of the book will not be able to grasp the attention of a child trying to read it. The book is all facts and has much historic value however, I feel as if students will not be as intrigued with this book compared to others.
5. An activity to be done in class can relate to the sequence of things that happened throughout Sojourner Truth's life. Pictures and blurbs will be drawn, written and cut out and the students will have to arrange them from what they remember from the book. If the students would like, they could look at the important dates section in the book for assistance. Another activity also has to do with timelines. Students could make their own timelines of their own life while reminding them to only put down major things that happen in their own lives at first. Details can be adding on as well afterwards if time allows.
1. This book received no awards.
2. This book is suitable for grades 3-5.
3. This book tells the story about a woman named Sojourner Truth who was born into slavery. The book tells about her experiences as a slave and what her feelings were like at the time as well. The book also talks about Sojourner's travels and how she wanted to make the world equal and fair for all different types of people.
4. I did not enjoy this much for the reason being that the book itself was a little dry. While the book itself has a lot of important and intriguing information about Sojourner Truth's life, I feel as if the layout of the book will not be able to grasp the attention of a child trying to read it. The book is all facts and has much historic value however, I feel as if students will not be as intrigued with this book compared to others.
5. An activity to be done in class can relate to the sequence of things that happened throughout Sojourner Truth's life. Pictures and blurbs will be drawn, written and cut out and the students will have to arrange them from what they remember from the book. If the students would like, they could look at the important dates section in the book for assistance. Another activity also has to do with timelines. Students could make their own timelines of their own life while reminding them to only put down major things that happen in their own lives at first. Details can be adding on as well afterwards if time allows.
December 20, 2016
Awards: None
Grade Level: 2nd-4th
Summary:
This is a picture book about the life of a former slave Isabella Baumfree, also known as Sojourner Truth. The book is a portrayal of her life from the hardships of being born into slavery through when she was freed. The book also gives details about her efforts to stop slavery and fight for equality for all citizens of the United States.
Review:
I love this book because it shows unique details about a former slave (she taught herself how to read/write, she spoke Dutch fluently, she sued a former slave owner and won). I think that students will find a lot of these details interesting. I can't describe how much I love the fact that while she is a national symbol, Sojourner is also a local hero of Ulster County.
Possible In-class Uses:
1. Students could take a field trip to Huguenot House Museum and Huguenot Street, where many Dutch houses still exist. There students could get a sense of how life might have looked when Sojourner lived there.
2. Students could pretend to be abolitionist and write a letter to the government explaining why they thought slavery was wrong. Students could then share their letters with the class.
Grade Level: 2nd-4th
Summary:
This is a picture book about the life of a former slave Isabella Baumfree, also known as Sojourner Truth. The book is a portrayal of her life from the hardships of being born into slavery through when she was freed. The book also gives details about her efforts to stop slavery and fight for equality for all citizens of the United States.
Review:
I love this book because it shows unique details about a former slave (she taught herself how to read/write, she spoke Dutch fluently, she sued a former slave owner and won). I think that students will find a lot of these details interesting. I can't describe how much I love the fact that while she is a national symbol, Sojourner is also a local hero of Ulster County.
Possible In-class Uses:
1. Students could take a field trip to Huguenot House Museum and Huguenot Street, where many Dutch houses still exist. There students could get a sense of how life might have looked when Sojourner lived there.
2. Students could pretend to be abolitionist and write a letter to the government explaining why they thought slavery was wrong. Students could then share their letters with the class.
Read
April 8, 2014This story is a biographical picture book based on the life of Sojourner Truth. It seems as though Sojourner Truth is mentioned about in classrooms but rarely do they go into detail about her accomplishments. It's a subject that is touched on then educators move on. This story book begins with telling about Truth and her work as a slave. The book does touch on details that may be difficult to read to students depending on the age level. Sojourner Truth was beaten by the plantation owners before she decided to make her escape and run away to become a free woman. There are many historical lessons that could be taught through this text. This is an excellent book that can integrate history and writing. There is an important aspect of Sojourner's life that can be turned into a writing exercise for students. Sojourner Truth made the remarkable decision of forgiving her master whom had once beat her. As a class, students can build community through forgiveness. Students can write about times they had to forgive someone in their life or why forgiveness is important.
October 31, 2012
This is a biography based on Sojourner Truth. It begins with a brief background on Sojourner Truth, how she was a slave, how her name was Isabella until after she was free, and how she was beaten at nine by her owners. One day after finishing her work she ran away. She ran because a nine year promise of freedom had been broken.
This biography could be used as an introductory source to slavery, court cases in which African-Americans win lawsuits against white men, the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, President Ulysses S. Grant, and remarkable women. It could also teach a great lesson about forgiveness as Sojourner Truth claims that her old master turned into a brother.
It could also be read alongside A Picture Book of Harriet Beecher Stowe, A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass, Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom, or a book about Rosa Parks. Sojourner Truth refused to give up her seat and was eager to fight for her rights years before Rosa Parks.
This biography could be used as an introductory source to slavery, court cases in which African-Americans win lawsuits against white men, the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, President Ulysses S. Grant, and remarkable women. It could also teach a great lesson about forgiveness as Sojourner Truth claims that her old master turned into a brother.
It could also be read alongside A Picture Book of Harriet Beecher Stowe, A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass, Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom, or a book about Rosa Parks. Sojourner Truth refused to give up her seat and was eager to fight for her rights years before Rosa Parks.
April 26, 2015
This book, part of David A. Adler's 'Picture Book Biography' series, is well-organized and full of facts concerning the life of one of American history's most important female orators & freedom fighters. A woman who met with two different presidents (Lincoln & Grant) as an elderly black woman born into slavery, is a must read for anyone who wishes to be informed of the diversity of the American experience.
January 16, 2017
David Alder always does a wonderful job with his mini-biography picture books for young readers. In this book Alder focuses on the remarkable life of Sojourner Truth, the horrible labors she endured as a slave and her endless spirit for helping others. A great addition to any elementary library or classroom.
October 3, 2013
My 6yr old nephew picked this out for me at the library! Glad he did, because unfortunately, it's the most I've ever learned about her. She needs more mentions in our school books, history lessons & society, in general.
September 25, 2009
I just can't help but wonder what she would have to say to all these people today! An amazing strong woman who didn't whine about life.
November 25, 2010
Great book to read during Black History Month or in History! This book takes you through Sorjourner's life.
November 29, 2010
This would be a good book for a read aloud for an elementary class. The pictures are great and the story of her life is portrayed well.
April 29, 2017
An introduction to the life of the woman born into slavery who became a well-known abolitionist and crusader for the rights of African Americans in the United States.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews