Ben and the Emancipation Proclamation

Ben, a teenage enslaved person in Charleston, South Carolina during the Civil War, teaches himself to read in secret despite laws forbidding literacy among enslaved people. Working as a blacksmith's assistant by day, he studies letters and words whenever possible, using scraps of newspapers and signs. As the Civil War intensifies, Ben continues his determined quest for literacy while enduring the hardships of enslavement. His growing ability to read opens up new awareness of the world beyond his immediate circumstances. The story draws from true events that occurred in Charleston in 1863, showing one person's pursuit of knowledge against significant odds. Floyd Cooper's illustrations capture the historical setting of Civil War-era Charleston. This biographical picture book explores themes of resilience, the power of literacy, and the fundamental human desire for freedom and self-determination.

Readers describe this children's book as a moving portrayal of enslaved people learning to read in secret. Parents and teachers note it works well for teaching both literacy and Civil War history to grades 2-5. What readers liked: - Age-appropriate handling of slavery themes - Focus on education and determination - Historical accuracy and attention to detail - Oil wash illustrations that capture emotions - Inclusion of the full Emancipation Proclamation text What readers disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle - A few mentioned wanting more details about Ben's background Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (217 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (31 ratings) One teacher wrote: "My students were captivated by Ben's determination to learn despite the risks." A parent noted: "The illustrations help soften the serious subject matter while still conveying its importance."

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💡 Ben, the main character, was inspired by a real person - Benjamin Holmes, who taught himself to read despite laws forbidding enslaved people from learning to read or write. 🏆 Author Floyd Cooper won numerous awards for his distinctive illustration style, which involved creating images by removing color from painted surfaces with erasers and cloths. 📜 The book depicts the historical moment when Ben reads the Emancipation Proclamation aloud to fellow enslaved people in a Charleston jail, where he was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the Confederate Army. 🎨 Cooper used his trademark "oil erasure" technique to create sepia-toned illustrations that evoke the historical period and give the book a powerful, emotional atmosphere. 📚 The story highlights how literacy was viewed as so dangerous to the institution of slavery that many states passed laws making it illegal to teach enslaved people to read, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.