Let me tell all the non-native Kansans something. When you're from Kansas, you get EXCITED when Kansas is featured in any book. I knew I had to read this the moment I found out it made it to the 2020 Kansas Notable Books list.
For those unfamiliar with this part of U.S. history, the term Exodusters refers to African-Americans who left the South after the Civil War and settled in places like Oklahoma, Colorado, and...Kansas!
Journey to a Promised Land focuses on Hattie Jacobs who dreams of the opportunity of attending school and becoming a teacher. After facing much hardship in post-war Tennessee (Hattie's parents were once enslaved), the family joins the Great Exodus and moves to Kansas were the Jacobs must adapt and start from scratch.
My thoughts? By using a piece of untold American history, Lassieur was able to create a book for young readers that I feel can be used in the classroom to answer questions about African-American history and racism. Journey to a Promised Land is not an Own Voices book, but the author and publishing company did write it with the consultation of African-American history expert Dr. Sharlene Sinegal-DeCuir from Xavier University of Louisiana. And as you read you can tell that much care went into every single page of the story. Hattie is a wonderful protagonist and her story creates an opportunity for elementary level classrooms to tackle important issues in a way that is understandable for young readers such as: -Why certain historical symbols can be seen as symbols of hate -Why free did not mean equal. -How the status quo served as a barrier against social progress for recently freed African-Americans. And still serves as a barrier to many minorities today. -Black History Month isn't just February. There's so much to explore that isn't often taught and Hattie's story and experiences show that. -...and a few more issues, but that would involve spoilers and we don't want that. Definitely support Own Voices books whenever you can. I understand this isn't one, but I truly did enjoy the story and was impressed by the care and research that went into it. My Rating: ????? Amazon | Bookshop
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