The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States is a well written and colorfully illustrated book about the celebration of the end of slavery in the USA. Due out 3rd May 2022 from Quarto on their becker&mayer! imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
Aimed at the youngest readers (ages 6-9 years), this is an engaging and age appropriate retelling of the story of the end of slavery and the codification of the Emancipation Proclamation which was ratified into law as the 13th Amendment. Despite being freed, many former slaves in Texas weren't aware that they were no longer slaves until General Gordon Granger read in Galveston:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free . . .”
The text is simple and accessible and lends itself to interactive reading either with a classroom reading circle or one on one with one's own children. The art is full of small details which invite readers to ponder and take a closer look.
The author has also included a short timeline of events from the beginning of the trans-Atlantic European slave trade down to 2021 when President Biden signed into law Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Well written and important history, told in an age appropriate manner.
Five stars. This would be a good choice for public library or classroom use, as well as for the home library.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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