Helpful Score: 2
This is the story of a young flute player shanghai'd to 'dance the slaves' on a slaving ship. Very compelling, not great literature but definitely a page-turner, Newberry Medal winner - it's definitely young adult lit, so it's graphic but not salacious, once again I learned about things I wish hadn't happened.
Helpful Score: 1
A great book. Great for middle school readers, but can be read by adults too.
Helpful Score: 1
A Laurel-Leaf Newbery
Fox has woven a spellbinding tale of suspense and survival that will horrify as well as fascinate readers.
Fox has woven a spellbinding tale of suspense and survival that will horrify as well as fascinate readers.
Thirteen year old Jessie, thrown aboard a slave ship, must play his fife so captured slaves will dance. What can he do about it? Won a Newbery award.
A wonderful and striking story, places the young reader right in the center of the time of the slave trade, and is shown from several sides. Fascinating and terribly sad.
I really liked the history and details in this book, shows a great relationship between men how they adapt to situations. Great historical read about something we don't really know all that much about.
Newberry Medal Award
Let me just start out by saying that some literary critics believe that this book is inappropriate reading for the Junior High grade level due to the violent nature of the story. The plot focuses on a disturbing topic and has some graphic images, therefore some discretion should be used. But I don't believe that is sufficient reason for keeping the book out of the hands of students. I am, however, discussing this book as a work that would be best read as a literature study with the guidance of a teacher or parent and accompanied by thoughtful discussion. In my opinion, it's not the kind of book you just give a ten-year-old for independent recreational reading.
The Slave Dancer begins in New Orleans in 1840 and relates the story of a boy forced onto a slave trade ship. Slavery has played a very real part in the history of many civilizations, and for Americans it is probably the most shameful episode in our nations history. American students should be made aware of the horrors of slavery, and The Slave Dancer allows the reader to view from first person perspective how barbaric the practice was and what it was like for its victims.
For my full review of this book, visit www.ImAllBooked.com
The Slave Dancer begins in New Orleans in 1840 and relates the story of a boy forced onto a slave trade ship. Slavery has played a very real part in the history of many civilizations, and for Americans it is probably the most shameful episode in our nations history. American students should be made aware of the horrors of slavery, and The Slave Dancer allows the reader to view from first person perspective how barbaric the practice was and what it was like for its victims.
For my full review of this book, visit www.ImAllBooked.com
I thought this book was excellent, my first about a slave ship journey. This is supposed to be for young adults but it seems awfully heavy to me for a younger person. Well written with good character development and no effort to hide the atrocities of the slave trade.
Different cover, same book. It's historical and sad.
