Module 10: Historical Fiction

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.