Monica Edinger

This is an outstanding imagined account of the life of a child, Margru, who was taken from what is now Sierra Leone to Cuba & then sold into slavery. Aboard the Amistad, she witnessed its mutiny & recapture, only to be held in New Haven, CT while her future was decided, ultimately by the Supreme Court in 1841. While awaiting her fate, she excels in school and eventually (with a brief return to the US to attend Oberlin) returns to Africa to become a teacher "Of the people I loved and the show more country I admired" (p 56). This title is both carefully crafted--the research and depiction are impeccable--and beautifully rendered--the illustrations are thoughtful and rich. Especially touching are the images of Margru's dreams, at once misty and distinct. Also, the decision to use brief, poetic white text on black to depict the misery of trans-Atlantic transport in the ship's hold is genius. "Africa is My Home" is an affecting story for any reader, but the language, content and images are aimed squarely at the intended audience. This is a perfect brief work of historical for 4th and 5th graders. show less

This is an outstanding imagined account of the life of a child, Margru, who was taken from what is now Sierra Leone to Cuba & then sold into slavery. Aboard the Amistad, she witnessed its mutiny & recapture, only to be held in New Haven, CT while her future was decided, ultimately by the Supreme Court in 1841. While awaiting her fate, she excels in school and eventually (with a brief return to the US to attend Oberlin) returns to Africa to become a teacher "Of the people I loved and the show more country I admired" (p 56). This title is both carefully crafted--the research and depiction are impeccable--and beautifully rendered--the illustrations are thoughtful and rich. Especially touching are the images of Margru's dreams, at once misty and distinct. Also, the decision to use brief, poetic white text on black to depict the misery of trans-Atlantic transport in the ship's hold is genius. "Africa is My Home" is an affecting story for any reader, but the language, content and images are aimed squarely at the intended audience. This is a perfect brief work of historical for 4th and 5th graders. show less

As a young girl, Magulu (later known as Sarah Margru Kinson) is sold into slavery and sent from her home in West Africa (the area that is now the country of Sierra Leone) to Cuba, and from there to America on board the Amistad with about 50 others, including three other children. When the enslaved men revolt and take over the ship, they hope to return to Africa, but the surviving sailors secretly sail back towards the American coast at night, resulting in a zigzagging journey up the east show more coast, until the ship is captured by the U.S. Navy just off of Long Island. Because the U.S. had by then outlawed the international slave trade, and because the mutiny occurred outside of American waters, the Africans from the Amistad find themselves caught up in a complicated legal battle. Will Magulu ever be able to return to her homeland?

This was a short but very interesting book. I knew little about the Amistad before reading it, and it’s inspired me to do a little additional reading about the events described in the book. Edinger stays close to the facts, which I appreciate, while still producing a satisfying read. show less

Magulu is kidnapped from her home in Sierra Leone and shipped along with dozens of other Africans to Cuba to be sold as a slave. But after being sold and boarding the ship Amistad to be taken to her master’s home, an unthinkable turn of events – a slave mutiny! a crooked journey up the east coast with a double-crossing captain! – brings her to New Haven, Connecticut, with a few of her friends who were kidnapped at the same time.

Throughout the ensuing trial, in which the slaves’ case show more is argued in the Supreme Court by John Quincy Adams himself, Magulu (whose name is changed to Sarah) learns to speak and read English, wear the stifling clothes of America, and perform the chores for the New Haven family who has taken her in (not with entirely good intentions). As the trial drags on, Magulu’s constant desire to return to her African home seems more and more distant.

You can finish this short book in a couple hours, and you ought to. It’s a fascinating story from a slice of American history we hear very little about. show less