Let My People Go

Let My People Go follows Price Jeffries, a freed slave in 19th century South Carolina, as he shares Old Testament Bible stories with his daughter Charlotte. Through these stories, he addresses her questions about slavery, freedom, and the world around them. The book interweaves biblical narratives with the harsh realities of American slavery, creating parallels between ancient stories and their present circumstances. Price draws on tales like Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt to help Charlotte understand their own community's struggles. Set against the backdrop of pre-Civil War South Carolina, this work combines historical fiction with spiritual storytelling. The narrative structure reflects the oral tradition of African American culture while exploring themes of faith, perseverance, and the universal human desire for freedom.

Readers appreciate how the book covers lesser-known aspects of the Underground Railroad through 12 biographical profiles of abolitionists and freedom seekers. Teachers and librarians recommend it for grades 4-8, noting its value as a research resource. Positive reviews mention: - Clear explanations of the escape network - Inclusion of women and Black abolitionists' perspectives - Primary source documents and period illustrations - Discussion questions for each chapter Critical reviews note: - Some chapters feel repetitive - Writing can be dry for younger readers - Limited depth on each individual profiled Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (12 ratings) One teacher reviewer states: "The photographs and illustrations help students connect with the real people involved." A parent notes: "My 11-year-old found some sections tough to get through but learned a lot about these important historical figures."

Days of Jubilee by Patricia McKissack, Fredrick McKissack The chronological collection of first-person narratives documents the journey from slavery to emancipation through the voices of former slaves.

The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton This collection of African American folktales connects stories of freedom and escape passed down through generations of enslaved people.

To Be A Slave by Julius Lester The testimonies of former slaves paint a picture of life under slavery through primary source accounts gathered from the Federal Writers' Project.

Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling This biography follows Harriet Tubman's transformation from enslaved person to conductor of the Underground Railroad through historical records and accounts.

Many Thousand Gone by Virginia Hamilton The chronological narratives trace African Americans' paths to freedom through documented escape stories from slavery to emancipation.

🔹 The McKissacks, a husband-and-wife team, wrote over 100 books together, primarily focusing on African American history and experiences. 🔹 This book uniquely parallels the Exodus story with American slavery, showing how enslaved people often identified with the Israelites' journey to freedom. 🔹 The Biblical stories featured in the book were commonly used in coded spirituals that helped guide escaped enslaved people on the Underground Railroad. 🔹 South Carolina, where the story is set, had the highest percentage of enslaved people of any state in 1860, with slaves making up 57% of the total population. 🔹 Patricia McKissack won the Coretta Scott King Author Award multiple times, and both authors received the Regina Medal for their lifetime contribution to children's literature.