Growing Up in Slavery

Growing Up in Slavery examines the experiences of young people born into slavery in America through firsthand accounts and historical records. The book focuses on daily life, family relationships, work responsibilities, and survival strategies of enslaved children and teenagers. The narrative covers multiple aspects of youth experience during slavery: education and skills acquisition, both permitted and forbidden; relationships with family members and slave owners; the impact of separation and sale; and methods of resistance. Through primary sources including interviews, letters, and documented testimonies, the text reconstructs the reality of growing up in bondage. The text follows several individual stories while maintaining broader historical context about the institution of slavery and its effects on young people. First-person accounts from formerly enslaved people who shared their childhood memories form the foundation of the book. This work reveals the particular vulnerability and resilience of young people who had to navigate both childhood development and the brutal system of slavery. The personal narratives illuminate universal themes about human development and identity formation under extreme circumstances.

Readers describe this as a detailed but accessible account of children's experiences in American slavery, drawing heavily from first-person narratives and historical records. Positives cited: - Clear organization by topic (family life, work, education) - Inclusion of original quotes from former slaves - Age-appropriate presentation for middle school students - Historical photographs and illustrations - Comprehensive source notes and bibliography Common criticisms: - Some passages feel repetitive - Limited coverage of certain regions/time periods - Could include more context about resistance/rebellion Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Multiple teachers mention using it successfully in grades 6-8 classrooms. One librarian noted: "Presents difficult subject matter in a way students can process without minimizing the horror of slavery." A few readers pointed out that the book fills a gap in children's historical literature by focusing specifically on youth experiences during slavery.

To Be a Slave by Julius Lester Through first-person accounts and narratives, this book presents the experiences of enslaved children and adults in their own words.

Never Caught, Young Readers' Edition by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve This book follows the story of Ona Judge, who escaped enslavement as a teenager from George Washington's household.

Day of Tears by Julius Lester The book chronicles the largest slave auction in American history through the perspectives of children who lived through it.

Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington This autobiography traces Washington's path from childhood enslavement to his role as an educator and leader.

They Were Her Property by Stephanie Jones-Rogers The book reveals the role of white women as slave owners and their impact on enslaved children and families.

🔹 Author Sylviane Diouf is a curator at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and has won multiple awards, including the Rosa Parks Award and the Dr. Betty Shabazz Achievement Award. 🔹 The book features rare photographs and first-hand accounts from formerly enslaved children, providing intimate glimpses into their daily lives and struggles. 🔹 Children as young as two or three years old were often assigned tasks on plantations, such as carrying water to field workers or fanning flies away from the master's table. 🔹 Many enslaved children never knew their exact birth dates, as slaveholders often kept this information from them to maintain control and prevent them from understanding their own age and worth. 🔹 Despite the harsh conditions, enslaved children created their own games and entertainment, including making toys from corn husks and playing "hiding games" that would later help some of them escape to freedom.