Book Review: Freedom School, Yes!

Littlesugar, A. (2001). Freedom school, yes!. New York: Philomel Books.

Keywords

Civil Rights Movement, African American History, Racism, Mississippi race relations, overcoming oppression

Summary

Jolie, a black girl living in Mississippi in 1964, is surprised when a brick is thrown through her bedroom window warning her family against housing a young white woman from the North who will be teaching in the black community in a 'freedom school.' Despite this and other harassment and threats from racists, including burning the church down, the black community perseveres and Jolie and others learn about African American history in the freedom school. In the process Jolie learns to be brave and overcome obstacles.

Teaching Suggestions and Caveats

This story seems appropriate for grades 1-5. It would be a great story to read while learning about the Civil Rights Movement. It seems that this aspect of civil rights (freedom schools) is one that is not talked about very much, and therefore it might be an appropriate addition to the regular curriculum. The illustrations by Floyd Cooper are well done and slightly surreal or impressionistic. This provides an interesting juxtaposition to the sometimes intense content (arson, threats), and could have the effect of lessening the impact of the harsh realities of racism in America. This may be undesirable.

The fact that the freedom school teacher is a white woman helps to show that America was not a white versus black culture as it is often painted, but there were many people on the spectrum from racist to antiracist.