During slavery, African-Americans had to struggle to survive the pain, cruelty, and endless abominations of their situation. In this extraordinary book for children ages 10 and up, writer Cynthia Grady has created a poetic portrait of the many ways these oppressed people tried to keep their souls alive. Her mission is given great support by the heart touching paintings by Michele Wood.
African-American women used music, sewing, and quilt-making to help them endure a harsh life laced with suffering and sorrow. Those with the courage and the stamina could escape the nightmare of slavery through the Underground Railroad run by a network of freedom fighters. Black children, too young to work in the fields, found their pleasures where they could. Meanwhile, others worked in the houses of their owners as domestic slaves.
Other aspects of slave life covered here include the whipping of trouble makers, the school house, the work of the blacksmith, a break from their labors, and basket-making.
