"Those shackles didn't rob us of being black, son, they robbed us of being human."

This is the story of one family. A family whose history saw its first ancestor captured, shackled, and brought to this country from Africa. A family who can still see remnants of the shackles that held some of its members captive -- even today. It is a story of pride, determination, struggle, and love. And of the piece of the land that holds them together throughout it all.

Published in 1994, but still relevant today. It begins in 1753 in Africa with the capture of 11-year-old Muhammad, who is sent to America as a slave. It follows his family's story, jumping in time from a plantation on Curry Island in SC in 1864 to various places and years, ending with that same piece of land and family in 1994. Inspirational novel, but sad to think that even now, hundreds of years later, the color of your skin makes a difference in how you're treated. ( )

RGG: A YA version of Roots. Well-written. Important perspective for students.

RGG: A YA version of Roots. Well-written. Important perspective for students.

This powerful novel tells the story of the Lewis family through six generations. It begins with Muhammad Bilal's journey from Africa in the belly of a slave ship, then progresses through stories set during the Civil War, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights movement, all the way to 1990's Harlem. Throughout, the Lewis's own a very special plot of land that they call The Glory Field. It is a reminder of everything they and their ancestors have been through. Told in short vignettes, we only see glimpses of each of the characters' lives, but it is enough to illustrate their strength and love of their family.

Each section of the novel has a lot of action, and is historically accurate. The white characters aren't demonized (except for maybe the slave drivers in the first section), but they do portray accurately the attitudes and prejudices of the day, and each is subtly different. This novel is chock full of potential discussions about everything from racism to family life to freedom. Some students may be frightened or dismayed by the violence in some sections of the novel, but it is never gratuitous, and shows them how violence was and is a fact of life for many people of color during various parts of history.

For ages 10 and up. ( )