Pistes d'exploration

Talk about the role that education played in the history of black people in America. How did it help them in the pursuit of equality?

Discuss what kind of person Booker T. Washington was. What evidence do you have from the text?

Write the letter that Booker T. Washington may have written to thank Mr. S. Griffitts Morgan for sponsoring him at the Hampton Institute.

Write a letter from Booker to his parents while he is a student at Hampton Institute explaining how he is learning and changing.

Talk about slavery. What was life like for slaves in the U.S. in 1856? How did their lives change when slavery was abolished after the Civil War? Make a before and after chart.

Predict what the story will be about by looking at the cover page and the pictures in the book.

Make a timeline to sequence the events in the story.

Discuss Booker's characteristics and provide evidence from the story. Compare getting an education today with getting one in Booker’s time.

Listen to “About Booker T. Washington” at the back of the book and write facts about Booker and his time.

Brainstorm reasons for illiteracy in Québec, past and present.

Pause at each two-page spread. Discuss and take notes on information gleaned from the illustrations. What more can you infer about Booker T. Washington?

Create your own version of the story by retelling it in your own words and with your own picture collages.

Imagine you are Washington and write journal entries for the important moments of your journey.

The Other Side, Night Boat to Freedom, Henry's Freedom Box, Freedom Summer, Beatrice's Goat, Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song, March: Book One

Mots-clés

Biography , African Americans , Booker T. Washington , dreams , hope , learning to read , overcoming adversity , schools , slavery

Commentaire descriptif

As young slave, Booker T. Washington wasn’t allowed to read. This biography relates the story of a young man’s determination to get an education, despite the great odds against him. The language conveys biographical facts with flair “miners and machines drilled thousands of feet into the earth to reach the coal. It was hot, dangerous work . . . for boys like Booker. He had never seen such darkness.” Sentences are broken into short lines and accompanied by engaging pencil sketches that further draw young readers into the text. Large full-colour illustrations combine the dense application of watercolour with collage techniques to create dramatic, layered images. In one spread, a hungry, gray-faced Booker sits; a food cart tempts him, while a horse’s backside seems to mock him. Translucent strips across the image suggest shadows or bars blocking his way. Later, similar strips become rays of light in the lecture hall, where the new student joyfully learns. The final image is a striking portrait of the man, equipped with his intelligence, determination and a rich collection of books at his side. Back material offers more on Booker T. Washington’s life, as well as the author’s and illustrator’s notes.