Written by: Jerdine Nolen
Illustrated by: James E. Ransome
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020. Picture Book.
Millicent and John are slaves on a plantation where they have suffered one heartbreak after another. Growing up they have been told stories of their ancestors flying away to freedom and they have kept those stories close to their hearts. One day a large majestic black bird flies over them in the fields and is struck down by the cruel overseer with a whip. The overseer won't let anyone touch the bird but later that night the two siblings go back to the field and take the bird home. Millicent nurses the bird back to health until she and the bird are discovered. Just when all seems lost a storm suddenly blows in and the bird and the children make their escape, while their story becomes legend.
This is a pretty text dense picture book but it provides opportunities to talk with younger and older children about slavery and freedom. The illustrations are beautiful and help round out and complete the story. Freedom Bird doesn't have that tall tale vibe, it has more of a magical realism feel to it but it is based on the tradition of African folktales with the idea of flying away to freedom at the heart of the story.
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