The Hallelujah Flight by Paul Bildner
Summary:This is the story of the first African American to fly across the United States. Because he is an African American in this time period (1932) he is not well received in every place he lands. He faces prejudice in some areas.
My Impressions: This story teaches children not to give up on their dreams and that
perseverance
pays off.
Reviews:
Author: Hazel Rochman
K--Gr. 3.
In
1932, James Banning was the first African American to complete a
transcontinental flight. Told from the viewpoint of his young copilot and
mechanic, Thomas Allen, this dramatic picture book relates of their historic
journey, in which they flew in a small plane from Los Angeles to New York in 21
days. Unframed, double-page paintings show the pair close-up in the cramped
cockpit as they fly over the Grand Canyon and head into storms, the propeller
whirring, while the ground passes not too far below. Some locals help, showing
"the kindness of family and friends," but the dramatic pictures also
reveal the prejudice the pilots encountered when they are refused use of
washrooms and restaurants. Finally, they reach New York and receive a hero's
welcome in Harlem. Along with the drama of the pioneer flight, kids will also
enjoy the irreverent fun of the Flying Hoboes in their "flying
jalopy." The story of the pilots' bonding is as memorable as the
breakthrough flight. An introductory author's note offers cultural and
historical context.--Hazel Rochman
Author:
Sybil Steinberg
THE
HALLELUJAH FLIGHT A pair of black Americans here launch a lonely struggle to be
the first of their race to fly across the country in Lynn's memorable rendition
of an actual 1932 event. Having read about a $1000 reward offered to the first
"negroes" to make the flight, pilot James Herman Banning persuades
L.A. mechanic and would-be aviator Thomas Allen to join him in the attempt.
Though an assiduous fund-raising campaign, the duo and their supporters collect
enough money to salvage a wrecked biplane for their cause. But in this
Depression-era exploit, money is always a serious problem, and tyring to raise
it puts the adventurers at personal risk, to say nothing of jeopardizing their
endeavor. Nevertheless, Allen and Banning "plop down every couple of miles
and beg for gas, good hangars, parts and God knows what else." As part of
their pitch, they enter the names of their patrons in a "Gold Book,"
promising that this will eventually be displayed along with their craft, the
Eagle Rock, in the Smithsonian Institution. In Lynn's (The Factory) hands,
James and Thomas are both believable and likable--instantly sympathetic--while
his plot twists make for a bittersweet ending.
Library Use: Use this book to introduce a lesson on how to use the Almanac or encyclopedias to find out unique information like "firsts."
Resource List:
Bildner, P. (2010). The hallelujah flight. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Rochman,
H. (2010, February 1). Review of the book The Hallelujah Flight by Phil Bildner. Booklist, 106(11), 62 Retrieved from Literature Resource
Center. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA219300438&v=2.1&u=txshracd2679&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w
Steinberg,
S. (1990 April 13). Review of The
Hallelujah Flight, by Phil Bildner. Publishers
Weekly, 237(15), 54. Retrieved from Literature
Resource Center. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA8920595&v=2.1&u=txshracd2679&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w
Henry's Freedom Box:
true story from the Underground Railroad
by Ellen Levine
Caldecott Award winner
Illustrations by Kadir Nelson
Summary: Henry's freedom Box is the true story of Henry Brown, a slave. The story shows how Henry has to endure hardships like having his wife and children sold and separated from him, and how he overcomes with his ingenious idea to mail himself to the north in a shipping crate.
My Impressions: I liked this book. I thought it gave a simple and understandable information about some hardships of slavery suited for young children, but interesting enough for older children.
Reviews:
Author:Susan Dove Lempke
In
a true story that is both heartbreaking and joyful, Levine recounts the history
of Henry "Box" Brown, born into slavery. Henry works in a tobacco
factory, marries another slave, and fathers three children; but then his family
is sold, and Henry realizes he will never see them again. With nothing to lose,
Henry persuades his friend James and a sympathetic white man to mail him in a
wooden box to Philadelphia and freedom. Levine maintains a dignified, measured
tone, telling her powerful story through direct, simple language. A note at the
end explains the historical basis for the fictionalized story. Accompanying
Levine's fine, controlled telling are pencil, watercolor, and oil paint
illustrations by Kadir Nelson that resonate with beauty and sorrow. When
Henry's mother holds him as a child on her lap, they gaze out at bright autumn
leaves, and the tenderness is palpable, even as she calls to his attention the
leaves that "are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from
their families." There is no sugarcoating here, and Henry is not
miraculously reunited with his wife and children; however, the conclusion, as
Henry celebrates his new freedom, is moving and satisfying. S.D.L.
g
indicates that the book was read in galley or page proof. The publisher's price
is the suggested retail price and does not indicate a possible discount to
libraries. Grade levels are only suggestions; the individual child is the real
criterion.
Lempke,
Susan Dove
Author:
Ilene Cooper
Gr.
1-3
Although
the cover shows a young boy staring intently at the reader, this book is really
about Henry Brown as an adult and a staggering decision he made to achieve
freedom. Henry, born a slave, hears from his mother that leaves blowing in the
wind "are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from their
families." When his master grows ill, Henry hopes that he will be freed; instead,
he is given to his masters son, and his life becomes worse. Eventually, Henry
marries and has children; then his family is sold. With nothing left to lose,
he asks a white abolitionist to pack him in a crate so he can be mailed to
freedom. The journey is fraught with danger as he travels by train and then
steam boat, but 27 hours later, he reaches Philadelphia. A brief author's note
confirms the details of the story, but it's the dramatic artwork that brings
the events emphatically to life. According to the flap copy, an antique
lithograph of Brown inspired Nelson's paintings, which use crosshatched pencil
lines layered with watercolors and oil paints. The technique adds a certain
look of age to the art and also gives the pictures the heft they need to
visualize Brown's life. Transcending technique is the humanity Nelson imbues in
his characters, especially Brown and his mother--her dream of freedom deferred,
his amazingly achieved.--Ilene Cooper
Library Use: Research different ways slaves used to escape to the north. Choose one way and create a how-to based on what you find.
Resource List:
Cooper,
Ilene.(2007, February 1). Review of Henry's
Freedom Box, by Ellen Levine. Booklist, 103(11), 59. Retrieved from Literature
Resource Center.
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA159182123&v=2.1&u=txshracd2679&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w
Lempke,
S. D. (2007, March-April) Review of Henry's Freedom Box, by Ellen Levine. The Horn Book Magazine, 83(2), 186. Retrieved from Literature Resource Center. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA161854606&v=2.1&u=txshracd2679&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w
Levine, E. (2007). Henry's freedom box. New York, NY: Scholastic.
