| Night Boat to Freedom Articles and Reviews Monroe Courier (CT) May 8, 2008 Marla Hoffman; Editor Community brings importance of reading to Monroe's schools Every year, community members join with Monroe's schools for the town-wide Celebration of Reading. Specially selected books were read at this year's celebration on May 1, to classes in Kindergarten through fourth grade, in the three public elementary schools, as well as St. Jude School. Themes of the selected books ranged from the importance of reading, to politics and learning responsibly. According to Stepney Elementary School Principal Sue Austin, the books are hand selected by district librarians and a committee of educators. New books are chosen every year and paid for by the Monroe Parent Teacher Organization, with the American Youth Soccer Organization and Monroe Soccer Club. “This event really gets the community into the schools and seeing what we are all about”, said Kathy Moraveck, the town wide coordinator for the Celebration of Reading and co president of the Parents' Council. “And after the story is read to the class, the book is added to the classroom library.” Kindergartners read Bear Feels Sick, by Karma Wilson; first-graders read Goldie Socks and The Three Libearians, by Jackie Mims Hopkins; second-graders read The Monster Who Did My Math, by Danny Schnitzlein; third-graders read Grace For President, by Kelly Dipucchio; and fourth-graders read Night Boat For Freedom, by Margot Theis Raven. In preparation for the day of reading, community members are asked to participate; some of whom have read for years and some who only just began this year. Readers have a choice of the grade to which they would like to read, and are given the book title to prepare several weeks before the event. Seventy-five community members participated in this year's Celebration of Reading. On May 1, readers gathered at their designated school's library and waited for student representatives to lead them to their class. When the story was finished, readers had the opportunity to talk to the children about the story and its messages, and also about the importance of reading in their lives. Getting the message Robert Wesch has represented the community reading to Monroe's children for more than 30 years. As a former police chief, serving from July 1958 to his retirement in July 1998, Wesch has had the opportunity to help bring the importance of reading to thousands of students over the years. This year he read to second-graders at Stepney Elementary School. “The goal”, he said, “is to get them to like reading. If adults read more to kids, you'd get them to read more, too. Today, we get too much off the television. We have got to try to get parents to read to them every day.” Wesch, who has read many different kinds of books to the students over the years, liked what was offered this year. “I really like the books they have picked out”, he said, “and the kids are just terrific. It's fun to read to them. I'm glad to see this program in our schools and in our community.” Masuk High School principal John Battista also returned to read to first-graders at Stepney Elementary School. “I enjoy doing it every year”, he said. “I don't get to interact with elementary students all that often, so it's nice to get away from the high school for a morning.” Battista said that reading to the younger children is always a good time. “It is so nice to see excited young readers”, Battista said. “They are well behaved. It's a great experience for me to see their enthusiasm. Reading is so important at all ages, even at the high school. If they are excited about reading in elementary school, then they will be better students when they are at the high school.” Battista has been a reader for the Celebration of Reading for about nine years, he said, and is always pleased by the selection of books. “They always pick great stories that are interesting to both the kids and us who are reading to them”, he said. “This year I read Goldie Socks and The Three Libearians It was wonderful. It taught them about finding a book they enjoy; that it is OK to keep looking until they find one they like.” Battista said that he was able to engage the students in conversation about the book. “I asked them where they like to read”, he said, “then I got to tell them where I like to read. They always choose the books very wisely, so we can have a good discussion with the kids. They are always of high interest.” Copyright 2008, Hersam Acorn Newspapers, All Rights Reserved | The Chicago Sun-Times February 4, 2007 Inspiring tales of black history: King, Carver, Tubman and Christmas John come alive in four new books for youth During the Depression, many writers interviewed and recorded the stories of former slaves in the Federal Writers' Project. Now, based on several of those recollections, comes a powerful new picture book, Night Boat to Freedom by Margot Theis Raven with pictures by E.B. Lewis (Melanie Kroupa/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 40 pages, $16) for ages 8 and up. Christmas John and his Granny Judith were slaves who could see freedom in Ohio just across the river from their master's farm in Kentucky. Judith, who as a girl was enticed aboard a slave ship in Africa with pieces of red cloth, becomes a master colorist and quilter in America -- and red has become symbolic of both slavery and freedom. Urged on by his grandmother, Christmas John becomes a part of the Underground Railroad at age 12, rowing people across the river. The taut story of his work and finally their escape unfolds in simple but elegant language: "I grew so quiet you could've heard a sewin' needle fall on feathers. I was twelve summers grown and strong hulk of a boy, but I felt feeble as a baby knowin' what she wanted me to do." Watercolor paintings, from blue-black night to the colors of the freedom quilt and a hopeful daytime, match the mood and theme. |
The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA) January 16, 2007 Library staff names its "best of the best' PARR: Books win informal local contest Local librarian shares results of unofficial awards contest for best books The official winners of the national youth book awards won't be revealed until Monday, but in the meantime, libraries around the country are holding mock awards discussions in anticipation of the announcement. At the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, our youth services staff discussed and voted for our winners last week. Other book discussions deleted. "Night Boat to Freedom" by Margot Theis Raven tells a story recorded by the WPA from a former slave at the age of 97. Granny Judith, who has raised John Christmas from a baby, asks the boy to row fellow slaves to freedom across the Ohio River. He rows many people to freedom, until it's too dangerous to continue, and John insists that this time Granny must come with him for his final trip. Colors are a powerful symbol throughout the story, starting with the red cloth that lured Granny from her home in Africa onto to slave ship when she was a young woman. On John's final journeys, he wears a red shirt that Granny has woven, dyed and sewed for him. E.B. Lewis' watercolor illustrations highlight each color, most strikingly in the nighttime scenes, where touches of red are blurred and muted but still distinct. |
| The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) November 26, 2006 Susie Wilde; Correspondent Children's Books - Wilde Awards Review Welcome to the Fifth Annual Wilde Awards! This week Susie Wilde offers guidance on choosing among the thousands of new picture books that flood the bookstores during holidays. Next week, Wilde and her team of reviewers will help you choose the very best novel-length books. Best picture books for 6- to 10-year-olds "Night Boat to Freedom" by Margot Theis Raven (FSG, $16.00, ages 7-10). Christmas John has been raised by Granny Judith who quilts as continuously as she dreams of freedom for her people. When John is 12, she urges him to row slaves to freedom across the Ohio River. The boy faces his fears to rescue many before he finally saves his beloved granny. Poignant illustrations by E.B. Lewis make much of the frightening dark flights and the author's quilt imagery. |
| | The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC) February 1, 2007 Special to The Post and Courier Black history books good choices anytime 'Lest we forget ..." Black History Month continues to be an important opportunity to learn more about the black culture and celebrate the achievements of this diversely talented group. For those who think this designated month has outlived its usefulness, consider that kids today relegate the civil rights movement to the category of ancient history. And yes, (involuntary shudder) there are kids who can't identify Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Night Boat to Freedom," a book written by Margot Theis Raven and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, is inspired by true accounts in the WPA's "Slave Narrative Collection." An old slave woman asks a young slave boy to row many slaves to freedom in his small boat, crossing the river from Kentucky to Ohio. He is terrified of the patrollers and the bloodhounds and the whipping if he gets caught. Granny Judith reassures him by saying, "What scares the head is best done with the heart." For each slave who is rescued, Granny Judith adds a colorful square to her quilt. When it becomes too dangerous to continue the night missions, the young slave rows Granny Judith, her quilt and himself to freedom. This synopsis barely hints at the depth and beauty of this book. With both author and illustrator, there is genius at work. Contact Fran Hawk at Fran_Hawk@charleston.k12.sc.us. | The State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL) February 11, 2007 f Lois Henderlong - Correspondent Celebrate Black History Month Telling about triumph over bigotry and slavery is what makes these books recognizing February as Black History Month such hard-hitting, essential reading. There are books for every age level, assuring that no child is too young or too old to find inspiration in the accomplishments of black Americans. "Night Boat to Freedom" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $16) features lush watercolors by Coretta Scott King Award and Honor winner E.B. Lewis, and a carefully researched historically based story by Margot Theis Raven. Telling how a young boy in Kentucky rows slaves to freedom across the river to the free state of Ohio, the picture book details how perilous these journeys became. Children will be on the edge of their seats as Christmas John risks all to give freedom to so many, and finally takes the ultimate chance by rowing himself and his grandmother away from oppression. As he hears the bloodhounds baying, he rows with all his might. How did he manage to do it so many times? As his grandmother told him, "What scares the head is best done with the heart." Atmospheric and dramatic, these illustrations fill the eyes. The narrative is bold and celebrates courage. Even a small child will understand how high the stakes were for those who dared to risk the punishment of whips and chains. | The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) February 18, 2007 Susie Wilde; Correspondent Bookshelves swell with black history I couldn't have written this column when I began reviewing children's books a quarter century ago. That was before Black History Month became a widely recognized event. Back then I was delighted to find any characters of color in a mainstream children's book. Now African-American history books for children come in all lengths, genres and styles. Margot Theis Raven's "Night Boat to Freedom" (FSG, $16, ages 7-10) tells the story of a young slave boy named Christmas growing up in Kentucky "a boat trip away from Ohio and freedom." His family was sold away and he has been raised by Granny Judith, an older woman who dyes threads and weaves them into fabrics. When Christmas grows old enough, she urges him to risk his life rowing slaves to freedom, each time asking him what color the passenger wore. Raven's prose -- and her use of colors as metaphors for love and freedom -- combine with E.B. Lewis' illustrations -- which often place bits of bright hue against blue-black and monochromatic background -- to show the connection between colors and feelings. | | Monroe Courier (CT) May 8, 2008 Marla Hoffman; Editor Community brings importance of reading to Monroe's schools Every year, community members join with Monroe's schools for the townwide Celebration of Reading. Specially selected books were read at this year's celebration on May 1, to classes in Kindergarten through fourth grade, in the three public elementary schools, as well as St. Jude School. Themes of the selected books ranged from the importance of reading, to politics and learning responsibly. According to Stepney Elementary School Principal Sue Austin, the books are hand selected by district librarians and a committee of educators. New books are chosen every year and paid for by the Monroe Parent Teacher Organization, with the American Youth Soccer Organization and Monroe Soccer Club. “This event really gets the community into the schools and seeing what we are all about”, said Kathy Moraveck, the town wide coordinator for the Celebration of Reading and co president of the Parents' Council. “And after the story is read to the class, the book is added to the classroom library.” Kindergartners read Bear Feels Sick, by Karma Wilson; first-graders read Goldie Socks and The Three Libearians, by Jackie Mims Hopkins; second-graders read The Monster Who Did My Math, by Danny Schnitzlein; third-graders read Grace For President, by Kelly Dipucchio; and fourth-graders read Night Boat For Freedom, by Margot Theis Raven. In preparation for the day of reading, community members are asked to participate; some of whom have read for years and some who only just began this year. Readers have a choice of the grade to which they would like to read, and are given the book title to prepare several weeks before the event. Seventy-five community members participated in this year's Celebration of Reading. On May 1, readers gathered at their designated school's library and waited for student representatives to lead them to their class. When the story was finished, readers had the opportunity to talk to the children about the story and its messages, and also about the importance of reading in their lives. Getting the message Robert Wesch has represented the community reading to Monroe's children for more than 30 years. As a former police chief, serving from July 1958 to his retirement in July 1998, Wesch has had the opportunity to help bring the importance of reading to thousands of students over the years. This year he read to second-graders at Stepney Elementary School. “The goal”, he said, “is to get them to like reading. If adults read more to kids, you'd get them to read more, too. Today, we get too much off the television. We have got to try to get parents to read to them every day.” Wesch, who has read many different kinds of books to the students over the years, liked what was offered this year. “I really like the books they have picked out”, he said, “and the kids are just terrific. It's fun to read to them. I'm glad to see this program in our schools and in our community.” Masuk High School principal John Battista also returned to read to first-graders at Stepney Elementary School. “I enjoy doing it every year”, he said. “I don't get to interact with elementary students all that often, so it's nice to get away from the high school for a morning.” Battista said that reading to the younger children is always a good time. "It is so nice to see excited young readers”, Battista said. “They are well behaved. It's a great experience for me to see their enthusiasm. Reading is so important at all ages, even at the high school. If they are excited about reading in elementary school, then they will be better students when they are at the high school.” Battista has been a reader for the Celebration of Reading for about nine years, he said, and is always pleased by the selection of books. “They always pick great stories that are interesting to both the kids and us who are reading to them”, he said. “This year I read Goldie Socks and The Three Libearians It was wonderful. It taught them about finding a book they enjoy; that it is OK to keep looking until they find one they like.” Battista said that he was able to engage the students in conversation about the book. “I asked them where they like to read”, he said, “then I got to tell them where I like to read. They always choose the books very wisely, so we can have a good discussion with the kids. They are always of high interest.” Copyright 2008, Hersam Acorn Newspapers, All Rights Reserved |
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