Call number
E B
Collection
Genres
Publication
Lee & Low Books (2011), 32 pages
Description
In 1820s Maryland, Frederick's mother, who is a slave on a different plantation, walks twelve miles each way for a nighttime visit with her son, during which she recounts what each mile of the journey represents. Based on the childhood of Frederick Douglass.
User reviews
LibraryThing member nbmars
This is an amazing story story based on the childhood of Frederick Douglass. When Frederick was young, he and his mother were separated because of slavery. As Douglass wrote in the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass:
"It is a common custom, in the part of Maryland from which I ran away, to
But Frederick’s mother was different. Whenever she could, after working hard in the fields all day, she trudged the twelve miles to see Frederick, and then had to walk back again to be ready to work at sun-up. It was her love of her son and dreams of freedom that kept her going.
The illustrations in this book are beautiful, expertly conveying the love and warmth between mother and son.
This powerful testament to a mother's love and a slave's dedication to the dream of freedom is not to be missed!
Note: Lee & Low identifies the interest level for this book as "Grades 1 - 6," but don't let that deter you adults from reading it. My husband and I both loved it and found it truly inspirational!
"It is a common custom, in the part of Maryland from which I ran away, to
Show More
part children from their mothers at a very early age. Frequently, before the child has reached its twelfth month, its mother is taken from it, and hired out on some farm a considerable distance off, and the child is placed under the care of an old woman, too old for field labor. For what this separation is done, I do not know, unless it be to hinder the development of the child's affection toward its mother, and to blunt and destroy the natural affection of the mother for the child. This is the inevitable result."But Frederick’s mother was different. Whenever she could, after working hard in the fields all day, she trudged the twelve miles to see Frederick, and then had to walk back again to be ready to work at sun-up. It was her love of her son and dreams of freedom that kept her going.
The illustrations in this book are beautiful, expertly conveying the love and warmth between mother and son.
This powerful testament to a mother's love and a slave's dedication to the dream of freedom is not to be missed!
Note: Lee & Low identifies the interest level for this book as "Grades 1 - 6," but don't let that deter you adults from reading it. My husband and I both loved it and found it truly inspirational!
Show Less
LibraryThing member skstiles612
This was a beautiful book. It is the story of young Frederick Douglas. His mother lived twelve miles away and walked to visit him. He asked her about each mile. She tells him the first mile is for forgetting, the second is for remembering, the third is for listening. The fourth mile is for looking
If you want to know what exactly they are dreaming and remembering and forgetting then read the book. It is no wonder Frederick Douglas grew up to be the man he was. With a mother with such high hopes and dreams for her son he could do nothing less.
Show More
up, the fifth is for wondering, the sixth is for praying, the seventh is for singing, the eighth is for smiling, the ninth is for giving thanks. The tenth mile is for hoping, the eleventh is for dreaming and the twelfth is for love.If you want to know what exactly they are dreaming and remembering and forgetting then read the book. It is no wonder Frederick Douglas grew up to be the man he was. With a mother with such high hopes and dreams for her son he could do nothing less.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jackiediorio
Any family that has a parent that is far away will appreciate this book, as well young students that need to read historical non-fiction. This picture book is about the relationship between young Fredrick Douglass and his mother. Fredrick's mother is a slave, and hence lives far away from him and
This book, which is done in watercolor in somewhat muted colors, would be an excellent addition to a library both as historical fiction and because it is about a long distance relationship between a mother and son. There are many families where one family member cannot be present all of the time, and being able to think of the miles between children and parents as chances for reflection and joy could be a good way to explain distance.
Show More
cannot see him all the time, since she must work hard in the fields all day long. Still, whenever she can, she walks the twelve miles and back to the house where he says with his aunt. She claims that this distance isn't long for her, because she spends each mile doing something different to prepare herself to see him; forgetting her hardships, thanking god for her family, remembering happy things, and so on.This book, which is done in watercolor in somewhat muted colors, would be an excellent addition to a library both as historical fiction and because it is about a long distance relationship between a mother and son. There are many families where one family member cannot be present all of the time, and being able to think of the miles between children and parents as chances for reflection and joy could be a good way to explain distance.
Show Less
LibraryThing member destinymbruner
A touching story based on the life of Frederick Douglass. His mother details her 12 mile walk to visit him and explains how she makes it through each mile. My heart was touched reading this and seeing how difficult a time it was for mothers to be separated from children and the distances they had
Show More
to go to visit with them. This book could be used for Black History Month, Mother's Day, slavery, or a number of other things. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Poignant, beasutifully illustrated story based on the life of young Frederick Douglass.
Awards
Triple Crown Awards (Nominee — 2015)
ISBN
1600602452 / 9781600602450