The Freedom Business

The Freedom Business presents the true story of Venture Smith, an African man who was captured and sold into slavery as a child in the 1700s. The book pairs historical excerpts from Smith's own 1798 narrative with original poems by Marilyn Nelson. Nelson's poems appear alongside segments of Smith's autobiography, creating parallel accounts of his journey from enslavement to becoming a free landowner in Connecticut. The dual-text format allows readers to experience both Smith's direct testimony and poetic interpretations of key moments in his life. Each spread contains a portion of Smith's factual account alongside Nelson's responding poem, tracing his path through bondage, hard labor, self-purchase, and his later success as a businessman and property owner. The book includes archival images and historical context about slavery in colonial New England. The poems and historical narrative combine to explore universal themes of human dignity, determination, and the true meaning of freedom. Through Smith's story, the book examines how one person's fight for liberty connects to broader American ideals and contradictions.

Readers admire Nelson's creative approach of crafting poetry from Venture Smith's 1798 narrative, with many noting how the verse format brings emotional depth to Smith's experiences. Teachers report the book helps engage students with historical content through its accessible poetry. What readers liked: - Timothy Liu's artwork complements the poems - Side-by-side presentation of Smith's original text with Nelson's poems - Focus on economic aspects of Smith's path to freedom What readers disliked: - Some found the poetry less impactful than Smith's original narrative - Limited context/background information - Brief length left readers wanting more detail Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (6 ratings) "The poems distill complex emotions into sharp, clear images" - Kirkus Reviews reader "Would have benefited from more historical notes" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect for teaching both poetry and African American history" - Teacher review on Amazon

Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper This historical novel presents the first-person narrative of a teenage girl's survival through capture in Africa, the Middle Passage, and enslavement in the American colonies.

My Name Is Not Angelica by Scott O’Dell The story chronicles a young African girl's experience during the 1733 slave rebellion on St. John through verse and prose.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson A Revolutionary War-era narrative follows an enslaved girl who works as a spy while seeking her own freedom.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson This account combines historical documentation and personal narrative to tell the story of an enslaved boy raised as part of a scientific experiment in Colonial America.

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill The narrative traces one woman's journey from capture in Africa through slavery and eventual freedom in Nova Scotia and Sierra Leone.

🔷 The book tells the true story of Venture Smith, who was captured in Africa at age 8, sold into slavery, and later bought his own freedom - eventually becoming a successful businessman in Connecticut. 📚 Author Marilyn Nelson crafted the poems in this book by responding to passages from Venture Smith's own 1798 autobiography, "A Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Venture, a Native of Africa." 🌍 Venture Smith's African birth name was Broteer Furro, and he was a prince in his tribe before being captured by slave traders. He was renamed "Venture" because he was purchased as a business venture. 💰 Through extraordinary hard work and determination, Venture Smith not only purchased his own freedom for 71 pounds and 2 shillings but also bought freedom for his wife and children, and eventually owned more than 100 acres of land. 🎨 The book features striking mixed-media artwork by Deborah Dancy, combining historical documents, photographs, and abstract images that complement Nelson's powerful poetry.