Harriette Gillem Robinet (1931–2024)

Remarkably complex for such a short read -- set in Montgomery, Alabama during the bus boycott in 1956. Hard reading -- the Merryfield's lives are harsh, and Alfa's ability to embrace the message of non violence is astonishing under the constantly degrading and dangerous circumstances. I loved the mystery aspect in the middle of the book, and Alfa's strong narrative voice. Powerful.

"Maybe nobody gave freedom, and nobody could take it away like they could take away a family farm. Maybe freedom was something you claimed for yourself."

Like other ex-slaves, Pascal and his older brother Gideon have been promised forty acres and maybe a mule. With the family of friends they have built along the way, they claim a place of their own.

Green Gloryland is the most wonderful place on earth, their own family farm with a healthy cotton crop and plenty to eat. But the notorious night show more riders have plans to take it away, threatening to tear the beautiful freedom that the two boys are enjoying for the first time in their young lives.

Coming alive in plain, vibrant language is this story of the Reconstruction, after the Civil War. show less

Pasacal, a slave boy who's about twelve years old, was born with a withered hand and leg, so he never did heavy work. Now that the Civil War is over, Pascal and his older brother, Gideon, and nine year old Nelly, a slave from their plantation, decide to claim the forty acres and a mule being offered to former slaves. They don't get the mule, but they do get the forty acres, and Pascal is determined to help out in building their new home. Can Pascal, his brother, and little Nelly, who's like show more a sister to him, build a life outside slavery?

This is a good book to talk about what the slaves faced outside of slavery. show less

Eleven-year-old Hallelujah is fascinated by the fires burning all over the city of Chicago. Little does she realize that her life will be changed forever by the flames that burn with such bright fascination for her.
The year is 1871 and this event will later be called the Great Chicago Fire. Hallelujah and her newfound friend Elizabeth are as different as night and day; but their shared solace will bind them as friends forever, as a major American city starts to rebuild itself (amazon),