Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters

This book contrasts the Christmas Day of the enslaved and slaveowners without seeming to put a pointed lesson across, allowing the reader to examine the lives of both and draw their own conclusions.

The book includes songs, recipes and other touches that immerse the reader into the lives of the enslaved and the slaveowning class.The illustrations look like portraits of actual people, an antidote to the period art that depicts African Americans as either caricatures or bodies engaged in work. It also allows us to see ourselves in both the slaves and their captors, both of whom are depicted as equally possessing hopes and concerns about their lives and their happiness. It may make the young reader ask what they would do if they found show more themselves part of a system that subjugates others, but is thoroughly reinforced by society as normal. And how would they deal with being enslaved? show less

In "Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters" the reader learns of the times just before the Civil War. It depicts the life on plantations in Virginia. This story is depicted from the books about several plantations. It is easy to follow as it tells of the lives of the plantation owners and their families and of the slaves. It helps the reader to thoroughly understand the relationship between owner and slave. It goes beyond the history of the time and helps the reader to see the slaves’ desire for freedom and the owners’ fear of an uprising. It tells of the cruelty of the selling of slaves and how it separated them from their families. It has recipes and words of songs the people sang. I do not feel the illustrations show more add to the story. The cover does not draw the reader into the book, but once the story begins the reader gains information and insight. This is a valuable book to read to children. It helps young people better understand what was truly occurring. I would read it to third or fourth graders when they study the Civil War or the time preceding it. show less

Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia C. McKissack,
Enjoying not only learning how the slaves got the masters house in order for Christmas but their own.
They were also sent to other estates to help out as well. Very informative and I can picture being there, so descriptive.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

It's 1859, right before the Civil War, at a Virginia plantation at Christmas time. This book chronicles the way both the plantation owners and their slaves prepared for and celebrated Christmas on a time line starting 2 months before through New Year's Day, alternating illustrated scenes between the Big House and the Quarters.

Gives an accurate depiction of the dress, food, songs, customs and a picture of the times; talk about slave insurrections, John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, secession, and possible war. The Slaves have songs, stories, and customs that covertly point to their hopes for freedom.

Not so much a story about individuals as a people. Moving illustrations. The illustrator won an award for a series of paintings show more depicting the history of the Black West.

Contains useful epilogue, Extensive notes, and a bibliography show less

Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia C. McKissack

It’s Christmas time on the Virginia Plantation in 1859. The slaves are told to clean the house and decorate it for Christmas. The house is filled with beautiful Christmas colors and smells. However, there is talk of a war beginning and a sense times might be changing. The shacks where the slaves live are dirty and cold, but they are hopeful for freedom to be coming soon. They sing songs of the freedom when they will get to work where they want and go where they want.

I like this story because it shows what slaves went through and how badly they were treated. It is a good reminder why people fought the civil war.

I would use this with second and third grade show more students at Christmas time. I would also talk about slavery and who was slaves and what they were told to do in this time period. I will also talk about the civil war and why we abolished slavery in the United States. I would ask students to write down reasons why they think slavery is a bad thing. show less

Using a fictional format, the authors contrast holiday experiences of enslaved people and masters on a large plantation in 1859. Includes, songs and recipes. At the end there are notes and a bibliography.

This books describes the Christmas celebration on a Virginia plantation in 1859. With slavery, war, and secession going on, the book shows how the family still enjoys their Christmas celebration and the aftermath of the Christmas celebration.