Caesar's Story: 1759

Colonial Williamsburg: Young Americans #2

by Joan Lowery Nixon

In partnership with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation come authentic novels set in the
18th century about actual people, places, and events in this celebrated Virginia town.

Caesar’s life as a slave consists of long hours of backbreaking work. Having his mother, father, and sisters around him is the one thing that makes it all bearable. But when the master chooses Caesar to be his personal servant and live in the big house far from his own home, Caesar has no choice but to obey. Why do things have to change?

Genres: Historical Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Author of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4th-6th Grade
Nixon brings this slavery story to life through a 9 yr. old boy. Caesar learns how cruel the life of a slave is from an early age, as a childhe does back breaking work all day, but has a his family unit around him to support him. As we move through the story his sister is taken from the family to work at the "big house" and his father is taken from them to be auctioned off. He has been chosen to be the personal assistant to the owners son, that was a playmate at one time. Caesar is very angry with his conditions and is resistant to these changes, the older slaves helps to keep him out of trouble and realize how his life will be. This story is an interesting journey through this boys life that kids can relate to the emotions that he expresses and has to recess. The realism in this story will allow students to have a better understanding of the lives that these people had to endure.
Social Studies- The book is a history lesson in itself. Use this book in conjuction with a slavery unit and have them discuss how they would have dealt with the conditions that Caesar lived with.

[Mamiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think children who loved Magic Tree House and grew out of it would enjoy this series. It allows you to learn about the Colonial Virginia history through the daily experience of young people. The first one of this series was a white girl who wanted to be a doctor (but even whose own father would not take her seriously), and the second one of this series is a young slave boy who decides to stay with his master who was his childhood friend. Maybe it's an adult convenience, but I like how the characters find resilience in themselves to pursue their dreams despite the restrictions that the society had put on them. Makes me want to visit Williamsburg.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seemed like the beginning of a larger book. The ending was very unexpected and abrupt. I don't see a sequel listed anywhere--so this is puzzling. It's more of a glimpse into Caesar's life than a full story.

[Kathy Dobronyi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This brief story of mid-seventeenth life on Carter’s Grove plantation near Williamsburg highlights the conflict and emotional turmoil suffered by all parties to the blight that was slavery.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful historical book for kids. It gives the reality of slavery in colonial times on a kids level.

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the story shares what I would imagine a semiźrealistic view of slavery that is good for making kids think. These are very interesting books! I'm excited to read more of them.