Never Forgotten (Junior Library Guild Selection)

Despite its picture book format this is a book that can be used from upper elementary through high school. In the author’s note Mrs. McKissack tells of her curiosity about how African literature and music portrayed those who were taken into slavery. This beautiful book is based on a legend she heard in Barbados that a hurricane was Mother Africa in search of her children. Never Forgotten uses verse to tell the story of Dinga the blacksmith whose beloved son Musafa is stolen. Dinga relies on the Four Elements who have helped raise Musafa to find the lost boy. Ultimately Wind reports that Musafa is now a successful blacksmith in Charleston, South Carolina. Never Forgotten is a novel-in-verse it must be read aloud. The woodcut style show more illustrations in gentle colors by Leo and Diane Dillon combine full page illustrations, with borders across the top or down the side of the page. I will definitely share this book the our drama teacher. show less

Never Forgotten is the tale of a young boy who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. the book uses a unique woodcut-style for its paintings, which bring great depth and convey great emotion throughout. The story itself, while sad, brings a powerful message to young readers that is filled with hope.

Never Forgotten is a beautifully illustrated story of the slave trade and of family. The story centers around a boy who is stolen by slave traders and taken to America and a father in Africa searching for him. With the help of Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind, the father learns his son has been taken to Charleston, South Carolina, and works as a blacksmith--just like his father in Africa. McKissack craft fully weaves myths into the telling of the story; for instance, describing hurricanes as "Mother Africa in search of her lost children." Perhaps the best part of this book are the amazing illustrations of Leo and Diane Dillon.

This story is one about slavery. It is written in prose as a series of poems all telling a story. The first is one of Africans telling each other to remember how they were treated, how families lost each other, and then it tells such a story. A father has a son and his wife dies in childbirth. He decides to raise the son, Mufasa, on his own along with the help of the four elements, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. The father is a blacksmith and teaches his son the skill as he grows. One day the son is captured while out gathering wood and, though all the elements try to rescue him, in the end he is sold to a plantation in the Carolinas. The father grieves for three years until finally Wind brings back the news that Mufasa is an apprentice show more to a blacksmith, hopefully to be freed one day soon, and is happy as he works using the skill his father taught him. The book closes with a poem telling how this was just one story of millions--so many lost their children. In the end, "Remember the wisdom of Mother Dongi: 'Kings may come and go, but the family endures forever.' Think on that when the silence comes." 4th-5th. show less

I have to say that the primary thing I was struck by with this book is the beauty of the artwork. It's simply beautiful. The complexity of representing the cultural aspects of family spirits and those mystical elements was done perfectly. There was layer on layer of that throughout the book and that is what I most appreciated.

This is a book of poems all connected to a larger narrative. Focuses on a father’s lament of his boy being taken by the slave trade. Very emotionally mature themes with folklore woven throughout. I would use as a read aloud with 5th graders as a preface to reading a chapter book that talks directly about the slave trade. Requires teacher guidance.

I thought this was executed beautifully. The art symbolically reflects the script, which is lyrical and touching.