Nightjohn (1996)

I listened to this story on audiobook and I highly recommend it. Paulsen's writing hits you like a punch to the gut, leaving you breathless, and paired with Michele Denise-Woods' reading, this story will envelope you as you're listening. The only downside? I want more! I want to know what happens to our sweet, courageous protagonist. I want to know what happens to Nightjohn. But, thankfully, listeners are, at least, left with a nice surprise. Gary Paulsen actually speaks about his inspiration for this book, Sally Hemmings, and you can tell how deeply her story has affected him. And it so shows in his writing. I could listen to Paulsen talk for days. He's incredibly moving. So, if you're up for a sad, yet hopeful, and very quick listen, pick this up. And definitely stick around for Paulsen's bit at the end. ( )

Night john escapes slavery but goes back to teach others how to read and write. I would show the children that even though night john escapes he still goes back to teach others so that what they are doing can be documented, which Sarny his student is the one telling this story. I would say this is a 5th grade reading level.

This novel was intense to read and at times, graphic as well. The story is shares many tragedies that have happened to slaves and how they chose to overcome them. It is about a man who is decided to stay in slavery and go from slave owner to slave owner, even after he had escaped and made it to the south, because he wanted to teach the other slaves to read and write. He believed that they should read and write because people had to know what was happening to them. This book is intended for older readers because of the content. I would recommend reading this book when learning about slavery.

Nightjohn is a story that is set in the south during the time of slavery. Based on an actual incident, Gary Paulsen tells about a young slave girl, Sarny, who it taught to read by another slave, Nightjohn. Nightjohn meets Sarny and convinces her that she should learn to read. Knowing the consequences, each night after the others are asleep, Nightjohn teaches Sarny one letter. Nightjohn makes Sarny promise that she will never say or write the letters that he is teaching her, but they're still caught and the consequences are horrific. Nightjohn should be read by middle or high school students, and is highly recommended reading for everyone who wants realistic insight on slavery. This would be for older kids, seventh and eighth graders when studying slavery. Very well written! ( )

This is about a book about slavery. It is a very sad book. I would use this book for grades 5-7. It is a chapter book. I would use this in a classroom to teach about history and how slavery was.