Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington

I saved this book to read today, on the day we in America celebrate as Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. What a wonderful story! Booker T. Washington as a boy, desperately longing to learn to read, making his way to a school for former slaves after working all day in hard conditions in a salt mine, walking five hundred miles to go to college and learn more. I can’t wait to share this inspiring story and these amazing illustrations with the children at my school tomorrow.

When I picked up this book, I realized I really did not remember what I learned about Booker T. Washington. Reading this book, I was able to find a little bit more about his journey. I admire him for always finding solutions such as listening through the windows although he couldn't get into the classroom, walking to reach his goal and dream of going to Hampton, or even finding a job on the walk to Hampton so he could keep going. I couldn't imagine walking that long route without any one familiar around me. I can only imagine how lonely he felt many days, although he had a dream and he chased his dream.

The story of Booker T. Washington’s dream of learning to read is told with beautiful illustrations of water color and collage paper. This book was very inspiring. Fifty Cents and a Dream includes an author’s note, illustrator’s note, and additional facts list of Washington’s journey that add more information of the life of Booker T. Washington.

Author Jabari Asim tells the story of young Booker T. Washington as a newly freed African American residing in Virginia. This riveting story of a boy that craved to learn how to read, write and more is illustrated by Bryan Collier. What starts out a story of hard times and sacrifices eventually becomes a story of triumph and success. Booker T. Washington worked many hard laboring jobs before being able to attend school. The first school he attended taught him the alphabet and simple sentences, but he craved to learn more. He set out on a 500-mile journey to attend Hampton Institute, a college for blacks in West Virginia. Booker T. Washington goes on to publish books, establish the Tuskegee Institution in Alabama and became a National show more Leader. The biography used accurate dates and also consist of a timeline of events. show less

An exceptionally well-written and stunningly illustrated introduction to Booker T. Washington. This should be a strong contender for the Caldecott Medal.

Born into slavery, Booker T. Washington could only dream of learning to read and write. After his emancipation, he journeyed 500 miles to attend Hampton Institute with only 50 cents in his pocket. Working his way through school, he eventually became a legendary educator of freedmen.

This book captures the hardship and spirit of one of the most inspiring figures in American history, Booker T. Washington, the legendary educator of freedmen. Author’s Note, Bibliography, Timeline, and Additional Notes.