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African Town
Chronicling the story of the last Africans brought illegally to America in 1860, African Town is a powerful and stunning novel-in-verse.
In 1860, long after the United States outlawed the importation of enslaved laborers, 110 men, women and children from Benin and Nigeria were captured and brought to Mobile, Alabama aboard a ship called Clotilda. Their journey includes the savage Middle Passage and being hidden in the swamplands along the Alabama River before being secretly parceled out to various plantations, where they made desperate attempts to maintain both their culture and also fit into the place of captivity to which they'd been delivered. At the end of the Civil War, the survivors created a community for themselves they called African Town, which still exists to this day. Told in 14 distinct voices, including that of the ship that brought them to the American shores and the founder of African Town, this powerfully affecting historical novel-in-verse recreates a pivotal moment in US and world history, the impacts of which we still feel today.
In 1860, long after the United States outlawed the importation of enslaved laborers, 110 men, women and children from Benin and Nigeria were captured and brought to Mobile, Alabama aboard a ship called Clotilda. Their journey includes the savage Middle Passage and being hidden in the swamplands along the Alabama River before being secretly parceled out to various plantations, where they made desperate attempts to maintain both their culture and also fit into the place of captivity to which they'd been delivered. At the end of the Civil War, the survivors created a community for themselves they called African Town, which still exists to this day. Told in 14 distinct voices, including that of the ship that brought them to the American shores and the founder of African Town, this powerfully affecting historical novel-in-verse recreates a pivotal moment in US and world history, the impacts of which we still feel today.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2022
73 people are currently reading
3176 people want to read
About the author
Irene Latham
34 books143 followersIrene Latham is a poet and novelist who was born the middle child and first daughter of five kids.
Irene has lived all sorts of places and traveled worldwide. Since 1984 she has called Birmingham, Alabama, home.
She thinks growing up with three brothers was great preparation for raising her three sons. She also thinks getting a sister was one of the best things that has ever happened to her.
Irene is proud to be the only leftie in her family of origin AND in her current family.
According to Irene's Dr. Seuss' MY BOOK ABOUT ME, she has wanted to be writer since she was eight years old.
She also wanted to train a horse that her sister would ride to victory in the Kentucky Derby. That hasn't happened. Yet.
Irene didn't take a single writing course in college.
Irene has lived all sorts of places and traveled worldwide. Since 1984 she has called Birmingham, Alabama, home.
She thinks growing up with three brothers was great preparation for raising her three sons. She also thinks getting a sister was one of the best things that has ever happened to her.
Irene is proud to be the only leftie in her family of origin AND in her current family.
According to Irene's Dr. Seuss' MY BOOK ABOUT ME, she has wanted to be writer since she was eight years old.
She also wanted to train a horse that her sister would ride to victory in the Kentucky Derby. That hasn't happened. Yet.
Irene didn't take a single writing course in college.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
December 1, 2022
**Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers in connection with the New England Library Collaborative Teen Summit for the eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changed my thoughts and ratings**
First things first, to be VERY upfront, this book is written by two authors, one of whom is Black, one of whom is white, and neither of whom are descended from the survivors of the Clotilda. So if you're looking for something of that nature, there are some resources listed in the back of the book to peruse. I did not know Ms. Latham was not BIPOC when I downloaded this title and the way that part of this was addressed did cause me to rethink how I felt about the book a little bit. In their author's note, It is addressed that some readers may "question whether this was our story to tell." While I agree with them that it should not be left solely to the victims and descendants to tell this story, I do question the authors saying that we "need to work together and include multiple perspectives to 'get it right'." What perspectives specifically did they think needed to be added to "get it right"? I'm unsure if I believe that it was specifically the place of Ms. Latham to insert herself into this narrative since it is a topic and story that is newly being told and has only recently been brought to light. I understand the authors worked together on other projects, but in this case, I just wonder if that was the right decision. I'm wondering if it will perhaps take away from this story which is INCREDIBLY important. This is not to say that authors who aren't of color cannot tell stories about BIPOC people, but because there are so few titles about this particular story, I wonder if it's the best choice for the first time this topic is being brought to light for many, including many teens, for it to be presented by this specific author who has no ties to the community.
That aside, I think this book presents a topic that is incredibly important and that it will immediately be targeted to be banned because of that fact, along with the fact that it unapologetically portrays almost all white characters (more on that later) as being racist and as having feelings of white supremacy, as would have been the case for that time period. Timothy Meaher and William Foster, particularly, use multiple slurs, engage in shady tricks after the end of the Civil War to keep the Africans characters indebted to them, engage in rewriting of history later in life, and in voter intimidation, as well as many other realistic but uncomfortable situations of the time. I can easily see the Texas Board of Education having an issue upon this being released in January. I'm calling it now that this will be challenged within an inch of it's binding.
The book discusses the circumstances of the last victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. They were sold into slavery by their countrymen from Benin and Nigeria to Meaher, who made a bet back in America that he could smuggle in African people without being punished for it by US law, as it was illegal by this point to bring in new enslaved people. The book is a novel in verse, with each character having their own specific form of poetry (as is explained at the end of the book). You can tell a lot of thought went into the writing style. The book has many POV characters, including Kossola, Abile, Kêhounco, and Kupollee, all of whom were captured under different circumstances and sold to work as enslaved people in Alabama, Meaher and Foster, the two who organized this smuggling and own plantations or businesses, Augustine, Meaher's son who is portrayed as being "sympathetic" to the plight of the Africans, J.B., a sailor who sells out his morals for money, and even the ship herself, the Clotilda. I thought especially personifying the ship gives an added layer as it enables a deeper understanding of the quarters and conditions of the multi-month trip. There are 14 unique voices and they almost all add to the story. Personally, I don't think Augustine's needed to be there and I think it was included to make certain readers feel better about "not all people sharing their parent's beliefs." The authors claim they were encouraged by the work of Dr. Sylvaine Diouf, a historian who specializes in the African Diaspora, but I would've liked a specific citation for this particular characterization as she has written many works. While yes, ideas and thoughts change over generations, this child was growing up in the Deep South, right after the Civil War, and is "sympathetic" from an INCREDIBLY young age and through his adulthood, which feels historically inaccurate to me.
The book starts with Kossola's life back in Bantè (now known as Benin) in 1860 and goes through his capture, enslavement, through the Civil War, the creation of African Town (now known as Africatown and still standing today in Alabama), up through the deaths of Foster and Meaher in the early 1900s. This also includes marriages, the birth of children, the heartbreaking notion that returning to Africa is a pipe dream, and the creation of a new community in Alabama. There is hope and joy along with the heartache and pain. It is a stark portrayal of this time period and a book I hope many people pick up, despite my hesitation about whether this was the right author to tell this story. While I felt respect was shown and it was obviously well researched, I stand by my claim that it might have been better to go with someone who had more connections to the community since this is the first time many of us are hearing this story. I think it's a book that will be talked about for a long time to come and should be read and taught.
First things first, to be VERY upfront, this book is written by two authors, one of whom is Black, one of whom is white, and neither of whom are descended from the survivors of the Clotilda. So if you're looking for something of that nature, there are some resources listed in the back of the book to peruse. I did not know Ms. Latham was not BIPOC when I downloaded this title and the way that part of this was addressed did cause me to rethink how I felt about the book a little bit. In their author's note, It is addressed that some readers may "question whether this was our story to tell." While I agree with them that it should not be left solely to the victims and descendants to tell this story, I do question the authors saying that we "need to work together and include multiple perspectives to 'get it right'." What perspectives specifically did they think needed to be added to "get it right"? I'm unsure if I believe that it was specifically the place of Ms. Latham to insert herself into this narrative since it is a topic and story that is newly being told and has only recently been brought to light. I understand the authors worked together on other projects, but in this case, I just wonder if that was the right decision. I'm wondering if it will perhaps take away from this story which is INCREDIBLY important. This is not to say that authors who aren't of color cannot tell stories about BIPOC people, but because there are so few titles about this particular story, I wonder if it's the best choice for the first time this topic is being brought to light for many, including many teens, for it to be presented by this specific author who has no ties to the community.
That aside, I think this book presents a topic that is incredibly important and that it will immediately be targeted to be banned because of that fact, along with the fact that it unapologetically portrays almost all white characters (more on that later) as being racist and as having feelings of white supremacy, as would have been the case for that time period. Timothy Meaher and William Foster, particularly, use multiple slurs, engage in shady tricks after the end of the Civil War to keep the Africans characters indebted to them, engage in rewriting of history later in life, and in voter intimidation, as well as many other realistic but uncomfortable situations of the time. I can easily see the Texas Board of Education having an issue upon this being released in January. I'm calling it now that this will be challenged within an inch of it's binding.
The book discusses the circumstances of the last victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. They were sold into slavery by their countrymen from Benin and Nigeria to Meaher, who made a bet back in America that he could smuggle in African people without being punished for it by US law, as it was illegal by this point to bring in new enslaved people. The book is a novel in verse, with each character having their own specific form of poetry (as is explained at the end of the book). You can tell a lot of thought went into the writing style. The book has many POV characters, including Kossola, Abile, Kêhounco, and Kupollee, all of whom were captured under different circumstances and sold to work as enslaved people in Alabama, Meaher and Foster, the two who organized this smuggling and own plantations or businesses, Augustine, Meaher's son who is portrayed as being "sympathetic" to the plight of the Africans, J.B., a sailor who sells out his morals for money, and even the ship herself, the Clotilda. I thought especially personifying the ship gives an added layer as it enables a deeper understanding of the quarters and conditions of the multi-month trip. There are 14 unique voices and they almost all add to the story. Personally, I don't think Augustine's needed to be there and I think it was included to make certain readers feel better about "not all people sharing their parent's beliefs." The authors claim they were encouraged by the work of Dr. Sylvaine Diouf, a historian who specializes in the African Diaspora, but I would've liked a specific citation for this particular characterization as she has written many works. While yes, ideas and thoughts change over generations, this child was growing up in the Deep South, right after the Civil War, and is "sympathetic" from an INCREDIBLY young age and through his adulthood, which feels historically inaccurate to me.
The book starts with Kossola's life back in Bantè (now known as Benin) in 1860 and goes through his capture, enslavement, through the Civil War, the creation of African Town (now known as Africatown and still standing today in Alabama), up through the deaths of Foster and Meaher in the early 1900s. This also includes marriages, the birth of children, the heartbreaking notion that returning to Africa is a pipe dream, and the creation of a new community in Alabama. There is hope and joy along with the heartache and pain. It is a stark portrayal of this time period and a book I hope many people pick up, despite my hesitation about whether this was the right author to tell this story. While I felt respect was shown and it was obviously well researched, I stand by my claim that it might have been better to go with someone who had more connections to the community since this is the first time many of us are hearing this story. I think it's a book that will be talked about for a long time to come and should be read and taught.
December 9, 2021
An important piece of historical fiction in verse, African Town chronicles the last group of Africans brought illegally to America to be enslaved, and the heritage they left by building what is now Africatown, Alabama. It takes some liberties, but overall seems to be very thoroughly researched. Note that this book deals with a lot of very heavy topics such as enslavement, various kinds of assault, and death including that of children. But it is also a story of hope and resilience.
I recommend you read from this reviewer who has some thoughts on the fact that one of the authors of this book is white: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... It's worth considering the issues addressed.
That said, I do think this is an important story and one that should be told. It's a fairly quick read and pretty accessible, so it might be a great tool for teachers who want to cover this material. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I recommend you read from this reviewer who has some thoughts on the fact that one of the authors of this book is white: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... It's worth considering the issues addressed.
That said, I do think this is an important story and one that should be told. It's a fairly quick read and pretty accessible, so it might be a great tool for teachers who want to cover this material. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 19, 2022
Wow. I absolutely loved this story told in verse of the last slave ship that transported slaves from Africa to the US. I ended up listening to the audiobook version of the book and it was remarkable. One of the best audiobooks I've listened to in a while. It is done by a full cast and the accents and pronunciations added so much to the listening experience. I really appreciated every single perspective that the authors decided to include in this narrative. Each one was important in its own way and gave voice to the history the authors were attempting to relay. I think this is a must read for anyone in upper middle school and older to learn about the US's history and specifically the history of Africa Town and its founders.
March 29, 2025
4.5 Stars!
April 17, 2022
4.5⭐
What a book. This illuminating read sheds light on the capture and enslavement of Africans, who are kidnapped from their lands and forced into labour in Alabama during the 1860s. It pains my heart to learn of the decades of suffering that they endured and continue to go through even after the Civil War.
The story is extremely well-told through multiple POVs (there are so many that I lost count). My favourite perspective is the one from the ship Clotilda, and I loved thinking of her as someone with thoughts and feelings. Her distraught and sense of helplessness in playing a part in the slave trade is both evident and heartbreaking.
✨ "alas, I am just a ship, at the mercy of men and wind and sea. I am no more free than the slaves soon to come aboard."
It's also super creative how the author has assigned each character their own style and format. For instance, Timothy Meaher the slavetrader has centralised stanzas in the middle of the page because he loves being the center of attention, while Kossala has long flowing verses because he has a flair for storytelling.
I know YA and novels-in-verse might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I highly urge you to pick this one up because it tells an important part of history that must not be forgotten.
What a book. This illuminating read sheds light on the capture and enslavement of Africans, who are kidnapped from their lands and forced into labour in Alabama during the 1860s. It pains my heart to learn of the decades of suffering that they endured and continue to go through even after the Civil War.
The story is extremely well-told through multiple POVs (there are so many that I lost count). My favourite perspective is the one from the ship Clotilda, and I loved thinking of her as someone with thoughts and feelings. Her distraught and sense of helplessness in playing a part in the slave trade is both evident and heartbreaking.
✨ "alas, I am just a ship, at the mercy of men and wind and sea. I am no more free than the slaves soon to come aboard."
It's also super creative how the author has assigned each character their own style and format. For instance, Timothy Meaher the slavetrader has centralised stanzas in the middle of the page because he loves being the center of attention, while Kossala has long flowing verses because he has a flair for storytelling.
I know YA and novels-in-verse might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I highly urge you to pick this one up because it tells an important part of history that must not be forgotten.
February 28, 2022
I had to put this book down a few times. oof like I wasn't emotionally prepared for what was coming. 4.5 stars
March 20, 2024
Wow! So impactful!
February 21, 2022
4.5 stars.
Told in verse with multiple PoVs, the authors tell the story of the last group of people kidnapped from Africa and brought illegally to the southern US in 1860.
It’s a sad history, told in spare language of the hopes, dreams, and fears of several people, those taken unwillingly, and the white men who decide to kidnap people from Africa for their profit.
I was familiar with one of the characters, Kussola, who I had met in Zora Neal’s Hurston’s “Barracoon”. We hear how Kussola was kidnapped at nineteen, and became part of the last “black cargo” from Africa.
We also meet others who were in the barracoon with him. The approximately one hundred and twenty people were brought to Alabama, then split up amongst various neighbouring plantations.
Their different backgrounds, and ensuing reactions to their terrible situation, gives us a better picture of the people in the holds of the Clotilda. We also see this group’s struggles in their new land, and their fervent desire for freedom and control over their lives, which eventually leads to their creation of Africa Town, and its businesses, school and place(s) of worship, and the most important, their growing families. We feel the weight of their vanishing dreams of returning to Africa, and determined putting down of roots in their new land.
For such a sad subject, I really liked this book. The authors not only bring these people to life, but also give us context with some of the actual history, a glossary, and other resources to check out afterwards..
I absolutely LOVED the descriptions of the types of poetry styles used for each person. Each person’s poem style, such as its shape on the page and its rhythm, is chosen specifically to describe the speech patterns and characteristics of each person. It’s a brilliant way to distinguish each of the speakers.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Told in verse with multiple PoVs, the authors tell the story of the last group of people kidnapped from Africa and brought illegally to the southern US in 1860.
It’s a sad history, told in spare language of the hopes, dreams, and fears of several people, those taken unwillingly, and the white men who decide to kidnap people from Africa for their profit.
I was familiar with one of the characters, Kussola, who I had met in Zora Neal’s Hurston’s “Barracoon”. We hear how Kussola was kidnapped at nineteen, and became part of the last “black cargo” from Africa.
We also meet others who were in the barracoon with him. The approximately one hundred and twenty people were brought to Alabama, then split up amongst various neighbouring plantations.
Their different backgrounds, and ensuing reactions to their terrible situation, gives us a better picture of the people in the holds of the Clotilda. We also see this group’s struggles in their new land, and their fervent desire for freedom and control over their lives, which eventually leads to their creation of Africa Town, and its businesses, school and place(s) of worship, and the most important, their growing families. We feel the weight of their vanishing dreams of returning to Africa, and determined putting down of roots in their new land.
For such a sad subject, I really liked this book. The authors not only bring these people to life, but also give us context with some of the actual history, a glossary, and other resources to check out afterwards..
I absolutely LOVED the descriptions of the types of poetry styles used for each person. Each person’s poem style, such as its shape on the page and its rhythm, is chosen specifically to describe the speech patterns and characteristics of each person. It’s a brilliant way to distinguish each of the speakers.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.
February 23, 2025
African Town is a novel written in verse and multiple POVs. The novel is inspired by the true story of the last American slave ship that illegally transported 110 Africans to Mobile, Alabama.
This is such a harrowing story that is written in an engaging way. The audiobook was great, but the physical copy includes drawings here and there to accompany the story.
I feel like every single POV was needed and written well! Despite all the POVs, the story still felt coherent and flowed perfectly.
I really liked the parts about developing African Town post Civil War. This is classified as a YA novel, but is still enjoyable as an adult.
This is such a harrowing story that is written in an engaging way. The audiobook was great, but the physical copy includes drawings here and there to accompany the story.
I feel like every single POV was needed and written well! Despite all the POVs, the story still felt coherent and flowed perfectly.
I really liked the parts about developing African Town post Civil War. This is classified as a YA novel, but is still enjoyable as an adult.
May 8, 2023
This was heavy and hard reading but superbly crafted. With alternating POVs from a variety of characters, including the ship herself, this was heartbreaking. Latham did a phenomenal job researching this story, of the last slave ship in America. Highly recommend.
April 27, 2022
Fantastic audio cast!
September 23, 2022
Here is a subject that was entirely new to me: after the import of slaves became illegal in the U. S., a wealthy businessman took a dare from his friends that he could bring more slaves into Alabama in 1859-60. This is a story told through multiple persectives: mostly through the Africans who were living their mostly peaceful lives before being captured, but also from the businessman's and his captain's eyes, and even through the lens of the ship itself, the Clotilda. A remarkable group of people whose descendants are preserving their legacy and history. I love learning something completely new. Written in verse, with different poetry forms for different characters, plus a section on the lives of the characters after the book ends in 1900, bibliography, and timeline.
May 10, 2022
African Town is the first book in verse that I've ever read and I'm very glad it took that spot. I felt this story, based on real life events and survivors was worth reading no matter what form it came in. The information and experience is invaluable and as Black woman, of course, painful.
There's not much I can say, but I have nothing but the highest of praise.
There's not much I can say, but I have nothing but the highest of praise.
January 29, 2022
Absolutely heartbreaking and stunning. This is a story about 110 Africans who were taken as slaves after slave trading was deemed illegal in American. I can feel that this is a story that is going to stick with me for a very long time. It is told in BEAUTIFUL verse and the characters are so beautifully written. I cried, I swore. I think this is a MUST read for all. Absolutely stunning.
December 24, 2024
This is the first book I've ever read FULLY on my phone, and I didn't love the experience, but I did love the book. It was so compelling, especially at the end, because I needed to know what was going to happen to everyone. I appreciate all the research that went into this book and the further reading resources that were provided at the end!
December 11, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
February 27, 2022
**3.5**
**I received an e-arc of this book through the read now section on NetGalley**
African Town chronicles the story of the last Africans brought illegally to America in 1860. 110 men, women, and children from Benin and Nigeria were captured and brought to Mobile, Alabama on a ship called Clotilda. Their journey includes the savage Middle Passage and being hidden in the swamplands along the Alabama River before being secretly parceled out to various plantations, where they made desperate attempts to maintain both their culture and also fit into the place of captivity to which they'd been delivered. At the end of the Civil War, the survivors created a community for themselves they called African Town, which still exists to this day. The story is told in verse and chronicles 14 different perspectives of these events, including one of the ships that brought them to America.
This is a very strange review for me because I almost think I would have preferred to read a non-fiction/non-verse book about these events and these people. The book has both facts and fiction based on intense research done by both authors, and I really appreciated the additional information given at the end of the book about the individuals who were taken from Benin and Nigeria. I also really liked the explanation of the different styles of verse that each of the 14 perspectives had. I am in no way saying this is a bad book; I think this is an incredibly important book and allowed me to learn about a subject that I honestly knew nothing about. I am also definitely going to search out additional books revolving around these 110 individuals and African Town.
I struggled with how many perspectives there were and a bit with the pacing of the book and the writing styles. It was difficult for me to stay engaged at points and I didn't feel myself being drawn to the story as much as I wanted to be. I completely understand why they chose the perspectives they did, but just for me personally, it felt a little bit overwhelming to go back and forth between 14 different perspectives. Again, I really want to reiterate that I in no way think this is a bad book (for me, a 3 or above is not a bad book and is still a book I would recommend). The format and writing style just did not gel with me, unfortunately, which made it a lot harder for me to get through the book. But overall, this was a solid book and I would recommend it for learning about African Town and the individuals who worked to create a community for themselves after being forcibly taken from their homeland.
**I received an e-arc of this book through the read now section on NetGalley**
African Town chronicles the story of the last Africans brought illegally to America in 1860. 110 men, women, and children from Benin and Nigeria were captured and brought to Mobile, Alabama on a ship called Clotilda. Their journey includes the savage Middle Passage and being hidden in the swamplands along the Alabama River before being secretly parceled out to various plantations, where they made desperate attempts to maintain both their culture and also fit into the place of captivity to which they'd been delivered. At the end of the Civil War, the survivors created a community for themselves they called African Town, which still exists to this day. The story is told in verse and chronicles 14 different perspectives of these events, including one of the ships that brought them to America.
This is a very strange review for me because I almost think I would have preferred to read a non-fiction/non-verse book about these events and these people. The book has both facts and fiction based on intense research done by both authors, and I really appreciated the additional information given at the end of the book about the individuals who were taken from Benin and Nigeria. I also really liked the explanation of the different styles of verse that each of the 14 perspectives had. I am in no way saying this is a bad book; I think this is an incredibly important book and allowed me to learn about a subject that I honestly knew nothing about. I am also definitely going to search out additional books revolving around these 110 individuals and African Town.
I struggled with how many perspectives there were and a bit with the pacing of the book and the writing styles. It was difficult for me to stay engaged at points and I didn't feel myself being drawn to the story as much as I wanted to be. I completely understand why they chose the perspectives they did, but just for me personally, it felt a little bit overwhelming to go back and forth between 14 different perspectives. Again, I really want to reiterate that I in no way think this is a bad book (for me, a 3 or above is not a bad book and is still a book I would recommend). The format and writing style just did not gel with me, unfortunately, which made it a lot harder for me to get through the book. But overall, this was a solid book and I would recommend it for learning about African Town and the individuals who worked to create a community for themselves after being forcibly taken from their homeland.
February 13, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ebook edition.
I will admit reading in verse is not a draw for me. However I knew I needed to read this book because I absolutely adore Irene Latham. She is such an mild mannered, kind human with compassion so much larger than her own being. I have no doubt she is forever changed by telling the stories of the last slaves brought to Alabama. In case you don’t know, Irene is an Alabamian. She is not immune to the harsh realities of this state, past and present. I am so grateful she is trying to shed light on real history for the younger readers and future readers. I don’t know Charles, but much respect to him as well.
This is such an important book in a time when legislators are trying to whitewash history, especially in Alabama. It encompasses events for these people from being stolen from their life in Africa through the Civil War and after emancipation. The added information including glossary, facts vs fiction , timeline and source material enhances this informative novel.
I will end by admitting I purchased the Audible edition and listened to most of this book. After hearing a sample, I just felt the narration was like the icing on the cake to the story of these courageous, strong, and beautiful characters.
I will admit reading in verse is not a draw for me. However I knew I needed to read this book because I absolutely adore Irene Latham. She is such an mild mannered, kind human with compassion so much larger than her own being. I have no doubt she is forever changed by telling the stories of the last slaves brought to Alabama. In case you don’t know, Irene is an Alabamian. She is not immune to the harsh realities of this state, past and present. I am so grateful she is trying to shed light on real history for the younger readers and future readers. I don’t know Charles, but much respect to him as well.
This is such an important book in a time when legislators are trying to whitewash history, especially in Alabama. It encompasses events for these people from being stolen from their life in Africa through the Civil War and after emancipation. The added information including glossary, facts vs fiction , timeline and source material enhances this informative novel.
I will end by admitting I purchased the Audible edition and listened to most of this book. After hearing a sample, I just felt the narration was like the icing on the cake to the story of these courageous, strong, and beautiful characters.
February 1, 2022
Compelling historical fiction novel written in verse. One of the best audio books I've had the opportunity to listen to so far.
March 28, 2022
I want to be sure readers know that I would like to share every superlative for this book in order to be sure that you read it. Irene Latham and Charles Waters have done extensive research to offer an account that readers will not forget, will tell others about, and that we will realize, I hope, that Africans who were sold and taken across the ocean, while in horrific conditions, held strength I'm not sure can be imagined. This is the story about the last who were captured and taken across the water, against the law already passed that made it illegal. They gave comfort to their shipmates, even giving their one spoonful of water offered so that the one who needed it more, survived. This is the story, in verse, where Irene and Charles let those people tell their own story, the one that starts with meeting the African characters at home, their home in Africa. Most are just growing up, some starting their initiation into manhood, noting the smiles from beautiful young girls. Kossala, as all young men are, is impatient to be included into the orò, the highest level of his society, the Yorùbá, located in Benin, West Africa. Later, his continuing cheer gives hope to the others as they lay naked, hungry and thirsty on the bottom of a ship, wondering how they will make it, what will happen to them? And I will not forget the women, Abilè and Kêhounco, whose courage and friendship never wavered. In one terrifying moment, they even manage to make fun of one of the white men who captured them, dissolving into giggles.
In addition to Kossola, there are others to meet at the beginning of this story, then later as slaves in Alabama, and much later, free, smart, purchasing land and with their own, starting a town, now called Africatown. During that earliest time, there is one who pushes others to note the surroundings, take solace there. Kossola tells that Kupollee "again points to de sky. Its Blue/is now blanketed by fat, billowy clouds. Different again. My stomach settles/as I follow my friend/and press one foot in front of de other." In subtle, poetic ways, Irene and Charles show the care each offers to each other. They show the strength of a powerful people.
Readers also meet the captains of the ship, Clotilda, learn what that ship itself has to say, and later, read words from the white plantation owners. The story fills with tension, sorrow, hope, and joy for all the years.
Added are sources, what's happening in Africatown today, parts about what happened to each character later, a timeline, and the poetry forms used for the characters. I continued to be struck by the emotion in the poems, what is revealed in a continuing strength and determination to live. One quote from the barracoon where they are kept before being sold to the white men: "It's true de ocean doesn't/stop being the ocean, and even locked up,/we don't stop being people." An inspirational story, yet also endearing, as we meet these people who survived and created a village, a family of survivors. I won't forget this story.
In addition to Kossola, there are others to meet at the beginning of this story, then later as slaves in Alabama, and much later, free, smart, purchasing land and with their own, starting a town, now called Africatown. During that earliest time, there is one who pushes others to note the surroundings, take solace there. Kossola tells that Kupollee "again points to de sky. Its Blue/is now blanketed by fat, billowy clouds. Different again. My stomach settles/as I follow my friend/and press one foot in front of de other." In subtle, poetic ways, Irene and Charles show the care each offers to each other. They show the strength of a powerful people.
Readers also meet the captains of the ship, Clotilda, learn what that ship itself has to say, and later, read words from the white plantation owners. The story fills with tension, sorrow, hope, and joy for all the years.
Added are sources, what's happening in Africatown today, parts about what happened to each character later, a timeline, and the poetry forms used for the characters. I continued to be struck by the emotion in the poems, what is revealed in a continuing strength and determination to live. One quote from the barracoon where they are kept before being sold to the white men: "It's true de ocean doesn't/stop being the ocean, and even locked up,/we don't stop being people." An inspirational story, yet also endearing, as we meet these people who survived and created a village, a family of survivors. I won't forget this story.
Read
May 29, 2025I do think this is beautifully done, though had I not had the context of having read Ben Raines'
The Last Slave Ship: The True Story of How Clotilda Was Found, Her Descendants, and an Extraordinary Reckoning
and Zora Neale Hurston's
Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo"
AND seen the National Geographic documentary already, I'm not sure I would have been as invested, because it's a loooot of voices and a lot of implied context. I did think it was cool to notice the distinct poetry styles for each character, because Latham and Waters know their shit when it comes to that.
Is this really a relaxing pleasure read? Not so much. Would it be fantastic for a language arts/English and social studies/history class to collaborate on? Absolutely.
Is this really a relaxing pleasure read? Not so much. Would it be fantastic for a language arts/English and social studies/history class to collaborate on? Absolutely.
December 31, 2022
Chronicling the story of the last Africans brought illegally to America in 1860, African Town is a powerful and stunning novel-in-verse and beautiful audiobook.
In 1860, long after the United States outlawed the importation of enslaved laborers, 110 men, women and children from Benin and Nigeria were captured and brought to Mobile, Alabama aboard a ship called Clotilda. Their journey includes the savage Middle Passage and being hidden in the swamplands along the Alabama River before being secretly parceled out to various plantations, where they made desperate attempts to maintain both their culture and also fit into the place of captivity to which they'd been delivered. At the end of the Civil War, the survivors created a community for themselves they called African Town, which still exists to this day. Told in 14 distinct voices, including that of the ship that brought them to the American shores and the founder of African Town, this powerfully affecting historical novel-in-verse recreates a pivotal moment in US and world history, the impacts of which we still feel today.
In 1860, long after the United States outlawed the importation of enslaved laborers, 110 men, women and children from Benin and Nigeria were captured and brought to Mobile, Alabama aboard a ship called Clotilda. Their journey includes the savage Middle Passage and being hidden in the swamplands along the Alabama River before being secretly parceled out to various plantations, where they made desperate attempts to maintain both their culture and also fit into the place of captivity to which they'd been delivered. At the end of the Civil War, the survivors created a community for themselves they called African Town, which still exists to this day. Told in 14 distinct voices, including that of the ship that brought them to the American shores and the founder of African Town, this powerfully affecting historical novel-in-verse recreates a pivotal moment in US and world history, the impacts of which we still feel today.
June 7, 2022
i hoped this book was going to be good, but no. it was severely underwhelming, and i don’t think im the target audience either. definetly seems like a book for kids 10-12. i think it’s mostly because i already read Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo'’ by Zora Neale Hurston, so i already knew the story. **if u want a recommendation for a book similar to this one but a closer view at what happened, that’s the book to read.** the poems were fine, and it’s nice that they explained what each type of poem represented at the end of the book. but the book itself just seemed.. off. ingeniune almost?? here’s a direct quote from the book (not a spoiler but an authors note): “We chose to use "de" and "dey’’ to provide a sense of the dialect without overwhelming the reader.” like?? the last black cargo was so much better because it actually used the language that cudjo/kossola said in the interview. honestly i think the book is a weak interpretation of what actually happened.
August 4, 2022
I liked this book, but it didn’t grasp my attention as other books do. It was structured in a rather unique way. There was no one main character, but followed the journey a group of people. While this was interesting in the sense that you could see through the perspectives of multiple people, you don’t get to know any character particularly well.
Chapters were written in poetry-like stanzas (I liked the style, but I wasn’t expecting it when I first picked it up). There were no timelines explicitly communicated either, so it sometimes threw me off guard to realise, “ohhh, this chapter is 10 years after the last chapter.”
BUT! I liked how the offer tried something new in how they structured the book. I also went back and forth between the physical copy of the book and the audiobook, and I really enjoyed the audiobook narration. The different voices for different characters gave more life to the story.
Chapters were written in poetry-like stanzas (I liked the style, but I wasn’t expecting it when I first picked it up). There were no timelines explicitly communicated either, so it sometimes threw me off guard to realise, “ohhh, this chapter is 10 years after the last chapter.”
BUT! I liked how the offer tried something new in how they structured the book. I also went back and forth between the physical copy of the book and the audiobook, and I really enjoyed the audiobook narration. The different voices for different characters gave more life to the story.
October 3, 2022
Important and heart-wrenching. this middle grade novel tells the true story of the last slave ship bringing kidnapped people from Africa to the United Stated, the Clotild. Perhaps most shockingly, it all started with a bet and a man determined to prove he can still traffic humans into the United States even after the slave trade (though not slavery itself) has been outlawed. The narratives skips around to tell the stories of the enslaved people as well as the men who chose to traffic them and follows the characters up through the Civil War and the founding of a community known as African Town. A moving and informative story of terrible events and the incredible people who lived through them.
November 2, 2022
An INCREDIBLE story from multiple perspectives about the last slave ship to bring Africans to America. While the brutality of their capture and enslavement is vividly shared through their stories, this book focuses on the bond these 110 people made and the community they fought to preserve.
Unlike so many stories of this inhumane part of our history, this book is not filled with violence. Instead it speaks to the strength, hope, and perseverance this group of people showed. While it’s so important read about the atrocities, I am grateful for this book - where the horror is not ignored, it’s just not the focus.
SO many teachable “chunks” throughout for teachers of various content areas.
Excellent read.
Unlike so many stories of this inhumane part of our history, this book is not filled with violence. Instead it speaks to the strength, hope, and perseverance this group of people showed. While it’s so important read about the atrocities, I am grateful for this book - where the horror is not ignored, it’s just not the focus.
SO many teachable “chunks” throughout for teachers of various content areas.
Excellent read.
December 31, 2022
This novel in verse was the perfect way to end 2022. The history and story of the survivors of the Clotilda was a riveting retelling of the lives of those were were among the last enslaved just before the start of the Civil War. This is a much more accessible version of Cudjo Lewis's story (compared to Zora Neale Hurston's "Baracoon") and would be a perfect addition to both a middle and high school library. Young readers will appreciate the storytelling style (there are different poetic forms used for each narrator), and history lovers will appreciate hearing a story about those who were among the last group of enslaved people who created Africatown in Alabama.
April 8, 2022
I really liked the verse style this book was told in as it gave each of the characters their own unique voice. I did a combination of ebook and audiobook. The audiobook had a full cast and was excellent. The ebook was nice as well because you could see the different verse styles each character used.
May 17, 2022
Not what I expected it to be. I was so interested in the story of the African Town and how it worked and everything but the book only got to that part after 300 pages of "the before". I know that this is also important to tell but I expected a more in depth story about the town. Also the format of the book did not really work for me in how it told snippets of the stories of all the different characters.
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