If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America

This is a great way to get younger children involved and interested in U.S. history. It is especially good teaching African American children about part of the culture. While the subject material is sensitive it is written in a fashion which will hold a childs interest and spark questions.

This book is simply incredible! My daughter read this book and was fascinated by the details that helped her understand how people really lived during slavery times. This book sparked such an interest in understanding her history until she is constantly reading and requesting more information about the struggles of African Americans. The book also makes for good conversations and an understanding of how obstacles and the struggles are life should be used to motivate us to seek better things in life. As an African American mother, it is absolutely necessary that our children be given all the tools to survive. This book helps them understand the importance of making the best of any kind of situation that you are placed in and always striving for something better!

Young readers will come away from If you Lived When There Was Slavery in America with an I-was-there knowledge of the history and lives of slaves in America. Some of the information is especially interesting, since it comes directly from slave narratives or diaries. The story of Robert Glen's secret education from an owner's son and Emma Knight's report of sobbing in pain because of having no shoes in the freezing cold will stimulate genuine understanding, classroom discussion and a desire for further study. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

I'm teaching Early American History to Japanese adults who have an "elementary" level of English and virtually no experience in studying American history. The "If You Lived in ....." books targeted for US elementary school children is ideal for college students in Japan. Just the title causes discussion. eg. Why do you spell Willimasburg with ..burg but then spell Pittsburgh with "h"?

This surprisingly comprehensive little book addresses over 40 questions children would dream up about a slave's life...and a few they wouldn't. What did slaves wear? What did they eat? Would you live with your father and mother? What if your father belonged to another slave owner? Did the children have to work? What games did they play? Were any black people free? While the answers are by necessity simplified for the targeted age group (9-12) the content is honest and relatively thorough. I think this provides an excellent foundation for helping children understand this sad time in American history. Includes web and physical addresses of seven historic/interpretive sites.