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Freedom's a-Callin Me
Award-winning poet Ntozake Shange and artist Rod Brown reimagine the journeys of the brave men and women who made their way to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Fleeing on the Underground Railroad meant walking long distances; swimming across streams; hiding in abandoned shanties, swamps, and ditches, always on the run from slave trackers and their dogs. ah might get hungry
ah may get tired
good Lawd /
ah may be free The Underground Railroad operated on secrecy and trust. But who could be trusted? There were free black and white men and women helping, risking their lives, too. Because freedom was worth any risk. Celebrated collaborators Ntozake Shange and Rod Brown pay tribute to the Underground Railroad, a universal story about the human need to be free. ah am a livin bein’ & ah got to be free
ah may get tired
good Lawd /
ah may be free The Underground Railroad operated on secrecy and trust. But who could be trusted? There were free black and white men and women helping, risking their lives, too. Because freedom was worth any risk. Celebrated collaborators Ntozake Shange and Rod Brown pay tribute to the Underground Railroad, a universal story about the human need to be free. ah am a livin bein’ & ah got to be free
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2012
About the author
Ntozake Shange
72 books770 followersNtozake Shange (pronounced En-toe-ZAHK-kay SHONG-gay) was an African-American playwright, performance artist, and writer who is best known for her Obie Award winning play for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf.
Among her honors and awards are fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, and a Pushcart Prize.
Among her honors and awards are fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, and a Pushcart Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 24, 2012
The seductive allure of freedom and its perils are described vividly in fifteen powerful free verse poems that mark various paths away from slavery through the Underground Railroad. Not only does the author describe the brutality of being whipped in "Never Again": "he got us hanging like hogs or fresh beef beating us" (unpaged), but she also points out the uncertainty about who to trust faced by those trying to find their way to freedom in "Look for the Broken Branch," and the mingled joy and relief upon reaching a safe place in "Welcome to Michigan." Painful though they are, these poems are meant to be read aloud and seem suitable for middle grades and high school. The illustrations are filled with emotion, sometimes pure terror, as in the case of the painting accompanying "The Hole," showing a man hiding beneath the floor boards while others dance right above him. I'm not sure about the reference to Sojourner Truth threatening to kill a reluctant passenger on the journey north; nor am I sure about the authenticity of the scene depicted in "Nearly There" as slave trackers fire at slaves aboard a wagon heading north. I'm certainly not denying the courage of those who managed to escape, but the scene seems overdramatic and makes me wonder how often that sort of thing actually happened.
March 27, 2012
Voices of the Underground Railroad sing, shout, cry, and whisper in these poems that take the reader from the moment a slave decides to attempt escape to the moments slaves reach freedom in the north. A mix of emotions emerge from poem to poem: anger, fear, desperation, desire, gratitude, and ultimately, hope. The historical era slave dialect may make the reading and comprehension challenging for some readers; understanding seems to come easier when the poetry is read aloud, making this book good for sharing. Each spread features one or more paintings that illustrate the action taking place and help readers visualize the danger and the pain. Middle school libraries should purchase this lovely but haunting book for their collections, while Language Arts teachers may want to include this in their curriculum.
December 1, 2012
Not an underground railroad book for young children. Written in dialect, it does not shirk from the violence and cruelty of slavery
October 26, 2019
Freedom’s a-callin’ me is a poetry book about a slave running away to become free. This is a wonderful book to teach children about America’s history of enslavement of black Americans and their struggle to become free men and women. This is a very tough issue to approach but this book provides imagery through the poetry of the author without going into graphic detail. Children of most ages, I think, could handle this book if you are willing to have a deep discussion about slavery in America’s history and the ugliness that surrounded it. The poetry is written from a run-away slave’s point of view and provides such imagery along with the beautiful illustrations that emotion is pouring out of every page. It is a beautiful book and does a good job of conveying the horrible situations slaves had to endure just to be free, in a mild, less gruesome way children could learn about.
January 29, 2019
This children's book about slavery looked at the first person perspective of being a slave through poetry. It gave a clear understanding of what the everyday life of a slave was, the different tasks they were assigned to do, and how they were feeling and thinking. I believe this book is appropriate for children from 4th grade and on. There is some graphic parts in this children's book, but I think it is important to introduce this to students as soon as they are capable of handling it.
August 30, 2017
I don't really like books written in verse, but the cover illustration caught my attention. The artwork is amazing. Usually the CIP page tells you what style or artistry was used, but it didn't in this work. my guess is that it is oil, but I am no artist and I don't really know. The illustrations did not quite assist the story, but they were still wonderful to look at.
February 22, 2020
Ntozake Shange weaves poems that speak to the minds of slaves as the contemplate about finding freedom, experiences in the underground railroad, the pain of unsuccessful escaping, mourning, and eventually finding freedom in the North.
September 18, 2017
I thought this was a beautiful book, picture-wise, and I liked the poems a lot, too. I'd guess 5-7 years old as the appropriate age range for this one?
September 19, 2012
Freedom’s a-Callin Me by Ntozake Shange
Genre: Picture book – Historical
Summary: Through a series of free verse poems and dark illustrations by Rod Brown, Shange’s book captures the many emotions of a slave seeking to flee the south by travelling on the Underground Railroad. It begins with a poem entitled “Freedom’s A-Callin Me” and ends with a poem called “Free Air.” In between are poems that capture the hope, the fear, the sense of loss at leaving behind loved ones, and the nervousness at searching for signs on the Underground Railroad.
Critique: (a.) The author’s use of slang language and dialect stands out in the poetry. The absence of proper English and punctuation suggests the state of illiteracy that the people were forced into.
(b.) The slave’s dialects carry the hurt, the hope, and the strength that they have; the dialect transfers the emotions of the slaves straight to our hearts.
(c.) The sense of desperation is felt in the lines, “ah hear that whip bouncing off somebody’s back/ bouncin like thousands of toddlers yelpin/ but it aint but one or two slave aint pickin quick ‘nough/ but he aint lookin over here” (p. 2). The hope and willingness to do anything to be free shines in the lines, “ah might get hungry/ ah may get tired/ good Lawd/ ah may may be free” (p.2). The fear of placing trust in a white man runs high. “but ah am lookin for one white man who’s got a clue for me/ to get to freedom wherever that is/ how can ah know what white man to trust/ if ah make a mistake only the good Lawd will know my fate” (p. 10). Sojourner Truth pulls out a gun on a slave who has fearfully changed his mind and wants to go back. “don’t matter, it’s death or freedom/” “the hammer of the gun clicks/ it won’t be the first time/ (p. 13). The exhilaration of freedom rings breathily in the last poem, “Free Air.” “finally ah am ridin through free air/….we could sing & stomp our feet/ get to feelin happy/….Lawdy Lawdy we been blessed/ Glory Hallelujah” (p. 29).
Curriculum Connection: This book could be used with elementary through high school level studies on slavery. It would also be an asset to any poetry writing unit and the creativity of making your character’s “voice” come alive.
Genre: Picture book – Historical
Summary: Through a series of free verse poems and dark illustrations by Rod Brown, Shange’s book captures the many emotions of a slave seeking to flee the south by travelling on the Underground Railroad. It begins with a poem entitled “Freedom’s A-Callin Me” and ends with a poem called “Free Air.” In between are poems that capture the hope, the fear, the sense of loss at leaving behind loved ones, and the nervousness at searching for signs on the Underground Railroad.
Critique: (a.) The author’s use of slang language and dialect stands out in the poetry. The absence of proper English and punctuation suggests the state of illiteracy that the people were forced into.
(b.) The slave’s dialects carry the hurt, the hope, and the strength that they have; the dialect transfers the emotions of the slaves straight to our hearts.
(c.) The sense of desperation is felt in the lines, “ah hear that whip bouncing off somebody’s back/ bouncin like thousands of toddlers yelpin/ but it aint but one or two slave aint pickin quick ‘nough/ but he aint lookin over here” (p. 2). The hope and willingness to do anything to be free shines in the lines, “ah might get hungry/ ah may get tired/ good Lawd/ ah may may be free” (p.2). The fear of placing trust in a white man runs high. “but ah am lookin for one white man who’s got a clue for me/ to get to freedom wherever that is/ how can ah know what white man to trust/ if ah make a mistake only the good Lawd will know my fate” (p. 10). Sojourner Truth pulls out a gun on a slave who has fearfully changed his mind and wants to go back. “don’t matter, it’s death or freedom/” “the hammer of the gun clicks/ it won’t be the first time/ (p. 13). The exhilaration of freedom rings breathily in the last poem, “Free Air.” “finally ah am ridin through free air/….we could sing & stomp our feet/ get to feelin happy/….Lawdy Lawdy we been blessed/ Glory Hallelujah” (p. 29).
Curriculum Connection: This book could be used with elementary through high school level studies on slavery. It would also be an asset to any poetry writing unit and the creativity of making your character’s “voice” come alive.
June 19, 2014
Twin Text: “Unspoken” by Henry Cole
Copyright Date: 2012
Rationale: I chose the book “Unspoken” because it gives a different perspective on the same topic as my nonfiction book. The book uses no words, only illustrations to tell the story of an escaped slave who is hiding in a barn and a white girl who chooses tolerance over bigotry. Students would have to infer what is going on in the story based on the actions in the illustrations and could practice the poetry style of writing that the nonfiction book uses.
Text Structure: My nonfiction selection uses a combination text structure. The author, Ntozake Shange uses descriptive words in her poems that bring the story alive. The book also uses chronological sequence by following a slave on his quest for freedom. You could find bits of the structure for problem and solution in the text. The main character of the story desires to be free, so he risks his life to travel north to be a free man.
Strategy Application: I would use the webbing strategy for these two stories. I would use the topic of slavery as the main bubble and then have the students use the text in the nonfiction book to add thought bubbles. After finishing with the nonfiction book, I would ask students to recall the illustrations in the fiction book and then brainstorm ideas of what slavery means based on the pictures in “Unspoken” to add more thought bubbles to the web.
Non-fiction Review: (2012, January/February). Horn Book. http://titlewave.com/search?SID=300cb...
Copyright Date: 2012
Rationale: I chose the book “Unspoken” because it gives a different perspective on the same topic as my nonfiction book. The book uses no words, only illustrations to tell the story of an escaped slave who is hiding in a barn and a white girl who chooses tolerance over bigotry. Students would have to infer what is going on in the story based on the actions in the illustrations and could practice the poetry style of writing that the nonfiction book uses.
Text Structure: My nonfiction selection uses a combination text structure. The author, Ntozake Shange uses descriptive words in her poems that bring the story alive. The book also uses chronological sequence by following a slave on his quest for freedom. You could find bits of the structure for problem and solution in the text. The main character of the story desires to be free, so he risks his life to travel north to be a free man.
Strategy Application: I would use the webbing strategy for these two stories. I would use the topic of slavery as the main bubble and then have the students use the text in the nonfiction book to add thought bubbles. After finishing with the nonfiction book, I would ask students to recall the illustrations in the fiction book and then brainstorm ideas of what slavery means based on the pictures in “Unspoken” to add more thought bubbles to the web.
Non-fiction Review: (2012, January/February). Horn Book. http://titlewave.com/search?SID=300cb...
March 17, 2016
Freedom’s a-Callin Me
This poem book has beautiful poems about the African Americans having freedom. The first poem in this book of poems is called Freedom’s a-Callin Me, the same as the title. It is about the senses of a slave. I believe it is from a man’s perspective because in the painting right beside it there is a man. The poem talks about how he can heard a whip crack down on another man’s back and how it sounds like a thousand toddlers yelling. This man talks about how there is a chance to get out and no matter how bad the weather is or how or how hungry or tired he is freedom is better.
The paintings in this poem book by Rob Brown, are beautiful. I believe they are made up of acrylic paints and are very well done. They tell a story along side3the poem which makes it a trip to read both the pictures and the poem itself. On the front cover the painting is wonderful. It is a painting of five African Americans standing in a field of white flowers looking up at the night sky and the stars surrounded by big, tall, bushy, green trees. The authors name is the first line followed by the title in yellow cursive letters with the illustrators name after that. The title page has a man walking into the trees carrying a few bags. Every page there is a painting on one page and a poem to go with the painting on the other page side-by-side. Some of the paintings have a border around it and some of them do not.
This poem book has beautiful poems about the African Americans having freedom. The first poem in this book of poems is called Freedom’s a-Callin Me, the same as the title. It is about the senses of a slave. I believe it is from a man’s perspective because in the painting right beside it there is a man. The poem talks about how he can heard a whip crack down on another man’s back and how it sounds like a thousand toddlers yelling. This man talks about how there is a chance to get out and no matter how bad the weather is or how or how hungry or tired he is freedom is better.
The paintings in this poem book by Rob Brown, are beautiful. I believe they are made up of acrylic paints and are very well done. They tell a story along side3the poem which makes it a trip to read both the pictures and the poem itself. On the front cover the painting is wonderful. It is a painting of five African Americans standing in a field of white flowers looking up at the night sky and the stars surrounded by big, tall, bushy, green trees. The authors name is the first line followed by the title in yellow cursive letters with the illustrators name after that. The title page has a man walking into the trees carrying a few bags. Every page there is a painting on one page and a poem to go with the painting on the other page side-by-side. Some of the paintings have a border around it and some of them do not.
July 9, 2012
Celebrated poet Ntozake Shange creates vingette poems beautifully illustrated in thickly brushed oil paintings by Rod Brown. Each vingnette describes a step along the path to freedom wrought with whippings, evil slave trackers (John Tanner), the harsh realism of Sojourner Truth, benevolent financiers with a bounty on their heads, and finally, freedom. Shange aptly captures the voice of the slave in this powerful picture, poetry book.
Shange, N., & Brown, R. (2012). Freedom's a-callin me. New York, NY: Amistad/Collins.
Awards/Reviews: Kirkus Reviews starred 01/01/12; Publishers Weekly starred 11/28/11;
Curriculum Connections: Poetry for 7th and 8th; eighth grade social studies Harriet Tubman unit
Personal Literature Selection: poetry, boys, historical fiction
Shange, N., & Brown, R. (2012). Freedom's a-callin me. New York, NY: Amistad/Collins.
Awards/Reviews: Kirkus Reviews starred 01/01/12; Publishers Weekly starred 11/28/11;
Curriculum Connections: Poetry for 7th and 8th; eighth grade social studies Harriet Tubman unit
Personal Literature Selection: poetry, boys, historical fiction
August 5, 2012
This is a powerful, but disturbing group of songs or poems that describe the torturous life of a slave and the harrowing attempts to escape. The author pulls no punches as she describes the beatings and potential to be killed on the route to freedom.
The illustrations are just as stark, and show the brutality and fear in bold colors. The narrative is written in a slangy dialect that was a bit tough to read aloud, but from reading the note at the end, I see that the chants were rewritten to be more understandable. I doubt we'd be able to understand the original versions.
I would recommend this for parents to read with older children, as they would be mature enough to handle the subject matter. We appreciated the songs, but it was certainly a tough book to read.
The illustrations are just as stark, and show the brutality and fear in bold colors. The narrative is written in a slangy dialect that was a bit tough to read aloud, but from reading the note at the end, I see that the chants were rewritten to be more understandable. I doubt we'd be able to understand the original versions.
I would recommend this for parents to read with older children, as they would be mature enough to handle the subject matter. We appreciated the songs, but it was certainly a tough book to read.
November 28, 2012
I am a longtime fan of Ntozake Shange's poetry, fiction and children's books. Her choreopoem For Colored Girls shaped my development and expanded my literary horizons as a young poet. Thus, it pains me that Freedom's a-Callin' Me, an otherwise powerful picture book poetry collection, is marred by an inexcusable error. In the poem "Death or Freedom," Shange confuses abolitionist Sojourner Truth, who was not actively involved in the Underground Railroad, with Harriet Tubman, the UGRR's most famous conductor. Oddly there is no mention at all of Tubman in the collection. Information about both of these women is so widely available from credible sources that the error should have been caught by the author, editor or fact checkers or someone!
April 21, 2014
The book recommends this for ages 8-12.
I tend to agree it's a bit much for younger children, but the poetry and pictures are great for much older ages. Unfortunately, since it's printed in picture book format, older students won't want to read it. The other complaint I have is with the printing. I don't think this is the poet's fault, but the editors. In my opinion, you either print poems with "/'s" for a break in passage all the way through, or you use line change/not both
it's a little confusing to the rhythm of a poem.
The poetry itself is lovely and eerie at times. I really love how the words came together to convey a lot of information.
I tend to agree it's a bit much for younger children, but the poetry and pictures are great for much older ages. Unfortunately, since it's printed in picture book format, older students won't want to read it. The other complaint I have is with the printing. I don't think this is the poet's fault, but the editors. In my opinion, you either print poems with "/'s" for a break in passage all the way through, or you use line change/not both
it's a little confusing to the rhythm of a poem.
The poetry itself is lovely and eerie at times. I really love how the words came together to convey a lot of information.
Read
January 30, 2013I was drawn into this book by the illustrations, then by the poetry. The voice sounds authentic, and the story is compelling. Just one false note--what I believe is a historical inaccuracy. On pages 14-15, an incident is described in which Sojourner Truth is leading group of people to freedom. When one man balks, she pulls out a pistol and offers him "death or freedom."
This is a well-known, often-cited incident from the life of Harriet "Moses" Tubman, but I cannot find a similar action attributed to Sojourner Truth.
This is a well-known, often-cited incident from the life of Harriet "Moses" Tubman, but I cannot find a similar action attributed to Sojourner Truth.
January 28, 2012
I got chills reading this book. This is another "picture book" that is deceiving. The subject of FREEDOM'S A-CALLIN ME and the illustrations are for a much older audience than small children. It can be used in middle or even high school as a reference.
It is written in poetry and of the language of slaves and of their journey North to freedom.
AR 5.5
It is written in poetry and of the language of slaves and of their journey North to freedom.
AR 5.5
Read
March 17, 2013This story is 15 free-verse poems that tell the story of a slave seeking freedom and fleeing to the south. This is a very powerful book that does not shy away from the brutality that slaves experienced. Definitely more appropriate for upper elementary than lower elementary. Could even be used in middle school and high school.
January 30, 2012
Ntozak Shange free verse combined with Rod Brown's soulful illustrations follows the trials and trevails of slaves traveling on the Underground Railroad and provide a stark and powerful journey to freedom.
April 1, 2012
In the voice of slave bent on escape, a series of free verse poems and impressionistic paintings reveal the struggle and journey to freedom. This is a worthy addition to the growing list of PB titles which. Deal deeply and honestly with the reality of slavery.
July 12, 2012
This is a story of escaping slavery and reaching Canada. It is told through poetry. While the poetry does carrry the narrative, I really found them difficult to concentrate on. Overall giving two stars is being generous as I really found this difficult to read.
October 7, 2012
Powerful poetry told from the point of view of an escaped slave, travelling north to Canada. Would love to use this in a middle or high school social studies class. Probably not appropriate much younger than fourth grade.
November 13, 2012
poetry format of picture book for older children. Slavery and Underground Railroad journey are not eventually pleasant to be read. I had to breath quitely as I read this book..Simple and controlled texts powerfully share voices from the journey of fleeing on the Underground Railroad..
October 5, 2011
An emotionally challenging collection by master poet Ntozake Shange. Well-crafted poems and illustrations will be welcome in educational settings.
November 13, 2011
This collection of poetry about slaves seeking freedom are emotionally stirring. Could be used with upper elementary on up to even High School.
January 26, 2012
Beautiful illustrations and moving language. It really conveys the heartbreak and devastation of slavery and the hope for freedom. Very powerful.
February 25, 2012
Shange's poems seem so true and the paintings by Rod Brown are almost frighteningly realistic. One small flaw: is Shange confusing Sojourner Truth with Harriet Tubman?
March 8, 2012
Not an easy read. Beautifully done. Sure to be an award contender, and justifiably so. Belongs in every library.
September 23, 2012
Powerful, brutal, and explicit-- this book of poetry about the underground railroad isn't appropriate for young children. Perhaps a HS collection?
August 3, 2012
A book of poems about an escaping slave on the Underground Railroad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews