Paulsen, G. (1993). Nightjohn. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young
Readers.

0440219361

Told from the perspective of twelve-year-old Sarny, the historical Nightjohn shares the trials of the slaves on the Waller plantation. Sarny, a quiet outsider who can’t even remember her mother who was sold while Sarny was still young, is the first to notice Clel Waller’s newest slave, a heavily scarred tall man named John. Sarny learns that John had escaped to freedom previously, but willingly returned to The South to teach slaves, to teach Sarny how to read and write.

Sarny tells of the horrible abuses some of the other slaves have had to endure on the plantation. This book would undoubtedly provoke emotional reactions. A teacher will have to be prepared to help students manage the experience of reading this book. The only white person shown to any extent in the story is Clel Waller and his maltreatment of the slaves as well as the fact that Sarny’s descriptions of him usually include the word ‘maggot’ may mean that a teacher will have to remind students that while Waller is the most evil piece of snot to learn to speak and hold a whip, other white people worked tirelessly for the slaves’ education and liberation. And others did nothing.

There is a sequel called Sarny. I'll admit I haven't read it yet. Have any of you read it, my dear but few readers? What were your thoughts?

On a much lighter note, did you know that Paulsen has written over 130 books? For reals. The majority of stories involve nature, animals, nature, eating uncooked things, nature, being attacked by wild animals, dogs, the artistic drive, nature, kids surviving in nature, more dogs, his own experiences in nature, etc. So seeing him go historical on his readers was a fresh slant.
While I have great respect for him and his work, do you think, just maybe, Paulsen could leave a few ideas and pieces of paper for the rest of us to publish with? Pretty please.

Activities to do with the book:

Since this story shows characters desperate to learn to read and write, this book would be wonderful for struggling readers to show them the historical significance of literacy as empowerment.

Teachers could urge students to do reflective journal writing in response to the book. The book could be paired with lessons on history or could trigger discussions on morality.

Since the end of the book does leave the reader with some hope, but lacks an actual conclusion, students could write their own endings to the novel.

Favorite Quotes

“This is a story about Nightjohn. I guess in some ways it is a story about me just as much because I am in it and I know what happened and some of it happened to me but it still seems to be about him” (p. 13).

“You ran and got away?” mammy asked.
“I did.”
“You ran until you were clean away?”
“I did.”
“And you came back?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
He sighed and it sounded like his voice, like his laugh. Low and way off thunder. It made me think he was going to promise something, the way thunder promises rain. “For this.”
“What you mean—this?”
“To teach reading” (p. 55).

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Inspired by true events, Gary Paulsen's NightJohn gives insight into the connections between education and freedom for American slaves. Sarny is a quiet and curious young girl whose world is opened up by a brave new fieldworker, NightJohn, who has dedicated himself to teaching slaves to read and write. Written from Sarny's perspective and in her own language, this story gives readers an authentic insight into the cruel realities of American History and the grassroots struggles for freedom. Paulsen's plot is easy enough to follow-he only leads up to the point at which NightJohn sets up his school, and it is up to the reader to speculate on the eventual effect of such efforts. Physical details of life on the farm can be plucked out of Sarny's narrative with some subtlety, but the emotional effects are laid out bare: readers are given every opportunity to imagine the pain, despair and eventual hope that permeate Sarny's daily life. Highly recommended for both school and public libraries. ( )

Reagan Kaufman
EDCI 5120—Dr. Rush
Summer 2008

Paulsen, G. (1993). NightJohn. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Grade Level: 5-9 grades
Category: Historical Fiction
Read-Alouds: pp. 25-29 (NightJohn is brought in); pp. 42-49 (what happens when slaves run); pp. 59-76 (caught reading and writing).

Summary: Sarney, a twelve year old slave girl, watches as her master brings his newest slave, naked and running with a horse, to his plantation. John bears the scars of a “difficult” slave and carries with him a secret that makes white slave owners tremble.

Theme: The despicable treatment of slaves is the theme of this book. The readers will respond emotionally to the poor living conditions, break-up of slave families, and descriptive beatings. I’d hope this discussion would lead to an awareness that slavery still exists. Another theme of the novel is the hope that education brings. Teachers should discuss why southern whites feared educating their slaves and talk about the right to education as laid out in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Discussion Questions:
• In what ways are slaves in the novel de-humanized? What purpose does de-humanizing slaves serve?
• Why is it against the law for slaves to be educated?
• Do we have an obligation to the ancestors of former slaves? Why or why not?

Reader Response: Overall I enjoyed this novel very much. Deeply moving and disturbing, it will generate the type of discussions that will prompt students to investigate social and moral implications of slavery and hopefully, our personal obligations to stop slavery world-wide. I was concerned with Paulsen’s depiction of slavery. Not that slavery is ever justifiable but historical research does indicate that a majority of slave-owners did not have huge plantations and did not abuse their slaves as severely as he indicates. I’m not opposed to the book telling of horrors that did happen; I just don’t want students to envision that all slave owners (including black slave owners) were as ruthless as Waller. Paulsen indicates that the book is based on events that actually happened but he does not point out what event, person, or place he is describing. Finally, the book does end abruptly. Paulsen did write a companion to NightJohn entitled Sarney: A Life Remembered. You’ll need to read both to feel closure. ( )

This book is an excellent choice for the library because it stresses the importance of literacy, and may inspire young adults who are struggling with their own reading and writing skills. It may help the struggling students realize how lucky they are to live in times where they have education available and emphasize how literacy will help them in their own lives. This story also shows a great example of someone who was willing to risk everything in order to do something that he believed in. This story would be appropriate for all high school level students, or middle school students at a higher reading level.