I Want to be Free

This is a rather intense story, which appropriately matches the intensity of the history it tells. Especially if used in elementary classrooms, this is a book that will most likely need to be sandwiched between contextual introduction and directed 'debrief'. This story and its illustrations will illicit questions, and especially if used for young children, should involve some adult guidance.

The plot uses a poetic structure to tell the experience of an adolescent slave who escapes in search of freedom. Along the way, he meets other runaway slaves, through which he finds and rescues an orphaned child slave who stays with him throughout the story. The adolescent made the choice to risk his success to save the child; in the end, the child show more manages to break the iron clasp still attached to the adolescent's ankle.

Potential uses:
- Open a conversation about the reality of slavery.
- Provide context for understanding the effect of slavery on black bodies (which is not actually and/or directly spoken about too effectively in classrooms. Though it may seem redundant to adults, it's an issue that warrants teacher-directed instruction for kids and adolescents.)
- Teach archetypes and thematics of stories and their capacity to connect story-telling through a space-time continuum. (The author is essentially retelling the story of Budha and his disciple, as told by Richard Kipling in Kim. The author explains, "I moved its setting and language to another time, as I believe its themes to be universal." The thematic imagery insinuates that love is that which sets us free.)

***I think there are other books more appropriate for teaching archetype and theme. While I agree that the story undoubtedly incorporates a universally relevant theme, I do not think that teachers, whose sole agenda is to teach story thematics and/or archetype, should opt to do so with a story that very blatantly engages with an African American slave narrative.*** show less

This touching, powerful, and poetic story follows the story of a young slave who just wants to be free. Chains were put on him after he tried to escape slavery once, but that did not stop him. He found the opportunity and escaped with his chain around his ankle. His journey leads him to a sick little boy whom he cares for while they run for their freedom. This unlikely friendship turns into a father/ son relationship. Once in the land of the free, the young child touches the man's ankle, thus giving him his freedom.

your personal response to the book;

I thought this was a powerful little story. The line that echoes in this story is, "Before, I die, I want to be free. But the Big Man says, "You Belong to me." With this mantra chanting every couple of pages, the gravity of the situation is made more real and powerful. This is definitely a story you could read to younger students (maybe 1st or 2nd grade), but I think it could be a very thought provoking book for older students and even adults.

curricular connections (how you might use it with students in a classroom or school library) or programming connections (how you might use this book in a public library setting).

The spirtitual aspects of this book could be a good supplement to the curriculum at a show more Christian school like the one I work at. This book could be used for devotions or even for chapel.

This is a very thought provoking book to use a writing prompt, or used in conjunction with a civil rights or slavery unit. show less

I really liked the art and the writing of this book. The illustrations were beautiful, and the writing rhymed and repeated itself, which reminded me of freedom songs sung by slave in the south. I feel like this would be a great book for an American history or Black history month lesson. It could be used in a lot of age groups, because even though the language is relatively simple, the message is strong and well portrayed.

Summary: A slave runs away from the "Big Man." The story tells of slavery and freedom.
Review: I found this beautifully written story to be very emotional. Everyone can relate to wanting freedom, but most of us have not experienced it true absence. This would be a wonderful book to teach children about slavery, because it is easy to relate to. It also tells of the power of love.

A book of hope and caring for your fellow man (child in this case). When the man saves the orphan boy from being left behind to return to a life of slavery, it is touching to see that the favor is returned not only by love but by setting the man free from his "ring." The rhyme carries the book and the message and the pictures take us from fear of the man, to the heaviness of running, to the end where there is freedom. My most poignant sight is when the little boy touches the "ring" of slavery.

The words are poetic and true. This is a very inspiring story that has amazing watercolor illustrations to accompany it. The paintings are soft and dark relating to the soft kindness and dark times of slavery.