Status
Available
Genres
Publication
New York : Orchard Books, c1995.
Description
Nine-year-old Booker works with his father and brother at the saltworks but dreams of the day when he'll be able to read.
User reviews
LibraryThing member kerrik
A little boy, his brother, and his father have to work from sunup to sundown. They have to very little and don't eat much, but food is not what he is hungry for. He wants to read more than anything. One evening he sees a man reading from a newspaper- this is where he sees his dream coming true. His
This is a great example of what African American people had to go through. The little boy was constantly in pain frm the hard labor, but all he wanted was to learn to read.
I would use this book with my African American history unit. I could also use it in learning a new language. If we were to start with the basics of a new language, I could show them something written in that language. It would be like the boy in the story who didn't understand what he saw.
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mother gives him a book of the alphabet, but he can't figure it out. The boy searches for the man to help him learn to read. The man tells him the names and sounds of the alphabet, and the boy is filled with hope again.This is a great example of what African American people had to go through. The little boy was constantly in pain frm the hard labor, but all he wanted was to learn to read.
I would use this book with my African American history unit. I could also use it in learning a new language. If we were to start with the basics of a new language, I could show them something written in that language. It would be like the boy in the story who didn't understand what he saw.
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LibraryThing member JessicaFayeD
Summary:
In the beginning of this book the little boy wants to learn how to read. So in doing so he does everything he can to learn how. He brings a book to his mom so that she can teach him how to read. The little boy worked shoveling salt everyday for the white people and just wanted to know more
Personal Reaction:
This book was very sad to me because children now days do not want to learn how to read or take it for granted. When there are children out there like this one who have never gotten the chance for anyone to teach them.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
This is a great book to have the children in a classroom have read aloud to them so that they can experience how it is for other children out there.
In the beginning of this book the little boy wants to learn how to read. So in doing so he does everything he can to learn how. He brings a book to his mom so that she can teach him how to read. The little boy worked shoveling salt everyday for the white people and just wanted to know more
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in life. At the end of the book he listens to this guy at night who is reading a newspaper and soon teaches himself how to read.Personal Reaction:
This book was very sad to me because children now days do not want to learn how to read or take it for granted. When there are children out there like this one who have never gotten the chance for anyone to teach them.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
This is a great book to have the children in a classroom have read aloud to them so that they can experience how it is for other children out there.
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LibraryThing member AngMarWilson
This book is about a little boy, his father, and his brother and working from dusk 'til dawn at a salt mine. This little boy wanted nothing more than to learn how to read. One night, on the way home from work, he and his family passed an older man reading from a newspaper. This little boy admired
I thought this was a very good book and should be a motivation to anyone that wants to better themselves. Americans are very blessed to have the ability and opportunity to learn how to read. We should take full advantage of our school systems because many countries do not enforce school.
I would use this book to help encourage reading. I could also use this book to create a discussion. The discussion would include how the students learned to read and what measures they took to learn to read.
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the gentleman. That same night, the little boy's mother gave him a book. He did not know what it said or how to read it so he searched for the man that was reading from the newspaper. The man taught the little boy what the book said and the little boy was thrilled beyond belief!I thought this was a very good book and should be a motivation to anyone that wants to better themselves. Americans are very blessed to have the ability and opportunity to learn how to read. We should take full advantage of our school systems because many countries do not enforce school.
I would use this book to help encourage reading. I could also use this book to create a discussion. The discussion would include how the students learned to read and what measures they took to learn to read.
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LibraryThing member kyaffee
This is the story of Booker T. Washington. It begins with him packing barrels with salt. He also tells the reader of his desire to learn how to read. After he sees another Black man reading from a newspaper he is more determined than ever to learn how to read. His mother is able to get him a book
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and he begins to study it. When he finally decides he needs help learning how to read it he goes to search of the man who was reading the newspaper. When he finally finds him and learns how to read the book and spell his name he is overjoyed. This book is useful to teach about African American life in Early American history. You can talk about the living and working conditions from the pictures and from Booker’s life in this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member gena93
More than anything else is about a African American boy who wants to learn how to read. He works in the salt mines with his father and brothers. One day he sees a man the same color that he is reading a newspaper. He thinks to himself I want to be like him and know how to read. So he goes home and
I think everyone should be given the opportunity to learn how to read. I think its sad that way back when people treated people the way they did.
In our classroom we are going to learn how to read! Even if its just simple sight words. I believe in repetitious practice everyday can make any classroom become independent readers. We can read a simple sight word story a week and let each other take turns reading at circle time. I could ask the children to cut a word out of a magazine or newspaper at home that they want to learn how to read it and bring it to school and the whole class could try and figure it out.
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tells his mom I want to learn how to read. His mom in return gives him a alphabet book and he gets so excited. Finally the man reading the newspaper teaches him the letter song and how to write his name.I think everyone should be given the opportunity to learn how to read. I think its sad that way back when people treated people the way they did.
In our classroom we are going to learn how to read! Even if its just simple sight words. I believe in repetitious practice everyday can make any classroom become independent readers. We can read a simple sight word story a week and let each other take turns reading at circle time. I could ask the children to cut a word out of a magazine or newspaper at home that they want to learn how to read it and bring it to school and the whole class could try and figure it out.
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LibraryThing member loadedbs
This book is about an African American boy who desperately wants to learn to read. With the help from a book of alphabet letters and a man, he sees reading a newspaper he quickly learns to write his name.
This as an inspiring book that show even though you may feel limited in what you can
This would be a great story to read in class to show kids that with hard work they can do anything. In addition, you can show kids that reading a variety of things can make them. This would also be a great book to read when discussing other cultures.
This as an inspiring book that show even though you may feel limited in what you can
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accomplish, if you follow your dreams you can do anything.This would be a great story to read in class to show kids that with hard work they can do anything. In addition, you can show kids that reading a variety of things can make them. This would also be a great book to read when discussing other cultures.
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LibraryThing member ShondaNewsome
Summary:
This story is about a little boy, his father, and brother who worked day and night in a salt mine. The most important thing the little boy wants to do is to learn how to read. On their way home, they ran into an elder man reading a newspaper which inspires the little boy even more to read.
Personal relations:
I can relate to this book because it is important to learn how to read and to have someone (a hero) i.e. your family, friends, and teachers to help you with your education.
Classroom extension:
1. Students will write a thank you letter to their parents for given them the opportunity to learn how to read and to be able to get an education.
2. Students will get into teams and have a spelling bee contest. The team that wins will have a pizza party.
This story is about a little boy, his father, and brother who worked day and night in a salt mine. The most important thing the little boy wants to do is to learn how to read. On their way home, they ran into an elder man reading a newspaper which inspires the little boy even more to read.
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That night, the boy's mother gave him an alphabet book and he meets the elder man who taught him how to write and spell his name. Personal relations:
I can relate to this book because it is important to learn how to read and to have someone (a hero) i.e. your family, friends, and teachers to help you with your education.
Classroom extension:
1. Students will write a thank you letter to their parents for given them the opportunity to learn how to read and to be able to get an education.
2. Students will get into teams and have a spelling bee contest. The team that wins will have a pizza party.
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LibraryThing member jebass
More than anything else, nine-year-old Booker T. Washington wants to read. He works all day mining salt, where an old man usually sits and reads aloud from a newspaper. He studies the alphabet, and with help from the old man, he learns their sounds and ultimately learns to read.
This book would
This book would
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appeal to grades K-6, I believe, with a different approach. Older kids could find an easy glimpse into the hardships of life after emancipation, and younger kids learn the importance of reading, something many children (and adults) take for granted. Show Less
LibraryThing member britwidenhouse
Summary:
This is about a boy who worked in a Salt Mine with his parents on a Salt Mountain. He wanted to learn how to read but it was hard for him to learn because he was being slaved away at the salt mine.
Personal Reaction:
This was a good book. i liked it because it taught me a lot. i did not know
Classroom Extensive ideas:
This could be a good read aloud to read to the classroom when learning about slavery. It could also be a good read aloud when wanting to tell the kids in your class that back in the day none of the children got a good education.
This is about a boy who worked in a Salt Mine with his parents on a Salt Mountain. He wanted to learn how to read but it was hard for him to learn because he was being slaved away at the salt mine.
Personal Reaction:
This was a good book. i liked it because it taught me a lot. i did not know
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anything about salt mines.Classroom Extensive ideas:
This could be a good read aloud to read to the classroom when learning about slavery. It could also be a good read aloud when wanting to tell the kids in your class that back in the day none of the children got a good education.
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LibraryThing member Kourtlin.Harrison
Summary: This book is about a boy that is living during the time of slavery. His family works shoveling salt. The young boy wants to learn how to read more than anything so his mother gives him an alphabet book so he can learn the letters. The boy finds a man that is reading a newspaper and gets
Personal Response: In this book, all of us can relate to the alphabet song. This book shows that slaves were not treated the same as white people and the sadness that filled their lives. It is a good example of the life of a slave child that a child could somewhat relate to themselves.
Classroom Extension:
1. The students could conduct research about Booker T. Washington and the significance that he had in the African American culture. They could then write a paper or make a biographical book about him.
2. The class could do a unit over slavery. This would involve reading multiple historical fiction books and finding out the lifestyle of a slave. It would show the importance of freedom in the United States and the journey African Americans had to go through to get their freedom they have now.
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him to teach him the "alphabet song". We later find out that the mans name is Booker, which refers to Booker T. Washington.Personal Response: In this book, all of us can relate to the alphabet song. This book shows that slaves were not treated the same as white people and the sadness that filled their lives. It is a good example of the life of a slave child that a child could somewhat relate to themselves.
Classroom Extension:
1. The students could conduct research about Booker T. Washington and the significance that he had in the African American culture. They could then write a paper or make a biographical book about him.
2. The class could do a unit over slavery. This would involve reading multiple historical fiction books and finding out the lifestyle of a slave. It would show the importance of freedom in the United States and the journey African Americans had to go through to get their freedom they have now.
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LibraryThing member sarahdvs
Summary: This is a story about a little boy that wants to learn to read but for now he has to work in the Saltworks. His momma gave him a book about the ABC's so he can learn how to read. He goes around town to try and find the guy that was reading the newspaper and he told the boy the ABC song and
Personal Reaction: My reaction to this book was that this little boy wanted to learn to read no matter what and he was going to do anything to learn how to read.
Classroom Extension Idea: 1. The teacher could read this book and teach the students the ABC's. 2. The students could learn from this book also.
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the boy was really happy, it made his day to learn that song. Personal Reaction: My reaction to this book was that this little boy wanted to learn to read no matter what and he was going to do anything to learn how to read.
Classroom Extension Idea: 1. The teacher could read this book and teach the students the ABC's. 2. The students could learn from this book also.
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LibraryThing member KatiePriddle
Summary:
This book is about a black man and his son working in the salt mine. The only real thing that the little boy wants to do is read. One day on their way home from the mine, they run into an old man reading the paper. This inspires him to learn. After confessing his dream, his momma gives him
Personal Reaction:
This book really touched my heart. I’ve watched children who really want to read not even try. I really enjoyed this book and I feel this would be excellent in a classroom.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. This book would be amazing in a special education class. Some kids really want to read, but have disabilities that make them too afraid to try. I think this would inspire someone to go out of their way in order to learn.
2. This could introduce a lesson on slavery. I would discuss with students how African American slaves were not allowed to go to school.
This book is about a black man and his son working in the salt mine. The only real thing that the little boy wants to do is read. One day on their way home from the mine, they run into an old man reading the paper. This inspires him to learn. After confessing his dream, his momma gives him
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an alphabet book. The little boy finds the man that was reading the paper, and is taught the alphabet song.Personal Reaction:
This book really touched my heart. I’ve watched children who really want to read not even try. I really enjoyed this book and I feel this would be excellent in a classroom.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. This book would be amazing in a special education class. Some kids really want to read, but have disabilities that make them too afraid to try. I think this would inspire someone to go out of their way in order to learn.
2. This could introduce a lesson on slavery. I would discuss with students how African American slaves were not allowed to go to school.
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LibraryThing member Karizev
"More than anything else, I want to learn to read." This is a great book for students who are a reluctant reader to see that there are other people who do not know how to read, and think it is a privilege.
Students will read and tell each other what they learned, than do a collage with words that
Students will read and tell each other what they learned, than do a collage with words that
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they like cut out of a magazine. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tinker84
SUMMARY: A story about a young slave named Booker who has a strong desire and determination to read. It goes into details about how hard he worked at SaltWorks with his family, his yearning to learn how to read, and how he met a man that teaches him how to read.
PERSONAL REACTION: I think the story
EXTENSION IDEAS: Assign a writing project that compares the students' lives with Booker T. Washington's so they can make a personal connection with the book.
PERSONAL REACTION: I think the story
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shows children how important it is to read & how enjoyable it can be.EXTENSION IDEAS: Assign a writing project that compares the students' lives with Booker T. Washington's so they can make a personal connection with the book.
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LibraryThing member Charitas
This story is about a little boy, his brother, and his father who have to work from dawn to dusk. The little boy wants to read more than anything. One evening he saw a man reading from a newspaper. His mother gives him a book of the alphabet, but he couldn't understand it. The boy looks for the man
This is a sweet story. More Than Anything Else the little boy wanted to learn to read. It makes you appreciate what kind of an education Americans receive because even though slavery has ended there are still people who never were taught.
Classroom extension, I would use this book during a unit on slavery. The students would draw a picture describing this little boys journey to learn how to read.
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to help him learn to read. The man tells him the names and sounds of the alphabet, and the boy feels like his dreams are coming true.This is a sweet story. More Than Anything Else the little boy wanted to learn to read. It makes you appreciate what kind of an education Americans receive because even though slavery has ended there are still people who never were taught.
Classroom extension, I would use this book during a unit on slavery. The students would draw a picture describing this little boys journey to learn how to read.
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LibraryThing member dukefan86
This is a nice story about young Booker T. Washington's determination for learning how to read. His enthusiasm at the end of the book is contagious. I enjoyed the illustrations a lot.
LibraryThing member Trillium242
This story is about a 9 year old slave boy. He wants nothing more than to be able to read. He puts his hopes in the "newspaper man" (a guy he sees reading the paper to other slaves). His mama gives him a book about ABCs and the boy seeks out the "newspaper man" to help him learn to read.
Good for
Good for
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multiculturalism studies or American History or Studies on Slavery. Show Less
LibraryThing member MichelleOsburn
Summary:
More than anything else is about a boy who wants to learn to read. He works packing salt into barrels with his dad and brother. His mother gave him a book about the aplhabet. He finds a man that tells him what the sound each letter makes.
Person Reaction:
I liked this book. It really shows
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Research salt works.
2. Research literacy rates at different times in history
More than anything else is about a boy who wants to learn to read. He works packing salt into barrels with his dad and brother. His mother gave him a book about the aplhabet. He finds a man that tells him what the sound each letter makes.
Person Reaction:
I liked this book. It really shows
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the boys want to learn to read. It would be a kind of inspiring book to show students that not everyone in history knew how to read. Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Research salt works.
2. Research literacy rates at different times in history
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LibraryThing member Mandi20
Summary: A story about a little boy who is a slave. He dreamed of learning to read more than anything. One day, his mother bought him an alphabet book for his birthday with all the money she had. Later, he met another slave who knew how to red and asked him to teach him.
Personal Reaction: It
Classroom Extension:
1. Have the class do a study about slaves working at the salt mills.
2. Tell the to do a study over the children in slavery and write an essay about it.
Personal Reaction: It
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teaches the kids to never loose hope and keep trying, and one day they will succeed. Classroom Extension:
1. Have the class do a study about slaves working at the salt mills.
2. Tell the to do a study over the children in slavery and write an essay about it.
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LibraryThing member allys2006
Summary:
This story is about a young boy he works with his father and brother. He wakes up really early every morning for work. All he wants to do is learn how to read, but for now he has to work from sun up to sun down at the salt works. He then talks about how the salt just keeps coming and they
Personal reaction:
This story let's children know the history of how children used to have to work and not going to school and how hard they had it being African American also.
Classroom extensions:
1. Have your students do a writing assignment and compare their lives to the character in the story.
2. Have the students write how it would be like to be a young African American boy in 1863.
This story is about a young boy he works with his father and brother. He wakes up really early every morning for work. All he wants to do is learn how to read, but for now he has to work from sun up to sun down at the salt works. He then talks about how the salt just keeps coming and they
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only stop from working to get something to eat. When he gets home he runs to his mother and says he has to learn how to read. His mother than finds him a book for him to help him read. He then studies this book all the time even when he is tired. To practice he draws markings on the floor to learn what he is reading. He found someone that thought him a song to teach him hoe to read.Personal reaction:
This story let's children know the history of how children used to have to work and not going to school and how hard they had it being African American also.
Classroom extensions:
1. Have your students do a writing assignment and compare their lives to the character in the story.
2. Have the students write how it would be like to be a young African American boy in 1863.
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LibraryThing member bphill5
This is a beautiful book, and I love it. I like it because it is written in first person. As a historical fiction text, it is important that it is written in first person because it allows the reader to put themselves in the shoes of the character and experience what they're experiencing. I also
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like this book because of the emphasis of light and dark in the illustrations. This book is about slavery and about wanting to learn to read and literacy, but slaves were not allowed to read. By having the contrast between the white salt and the dark skies and dark skin of the African American characters, the reader even more so feels the danger in learning to read, and the danger in not being able to do what you want to be able to do. The main idea of this story is to put the reader in the place of slaves when they weren't allowed to read and have rights in the United States. Show Less
LibraryThing member KelseyAnnB
I really liked this book. As a Caucasian American who grew up primarily on the West Coast, sometimes it is easy to forget the small things about African American history. This book does a lovely job of reminding me without beating me over the head with it. It reminds me that for some people
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something as essential to me as being able to read is only a fantasy. Show Less
LibraryThing member MataSoolua
Summary:
A little boys named Booker wants to know how to read more than anything else. He thinks about reading when he is at work with his dad and brother. He has a little hope that he can learn how to read when he sees a brown person reading from a newspaper. He mom gives him a blue alphabet song
Personal Reaction:
It's eye opening to see how privileged I was to learn to read and write in school. I feel bad that this little Booker boy has to work at such an young age and has to really learn how to read and write pretty much on his own. I am much more thankful and appreciate the history in this book.
Classroom Extension:
1) Splitting the classroom into a few groups and having sand boxes and sticks to spell words in the sand.
2) Maybe hear from students who had to learn how to read and write English. Maybe they can share their experience and how similar it was to Booker who wanted to learn to read.
A little boys named Booker wants to know how to read more than anything else. He thinks about reading when he is at work with his dad and brother. He has a little hope that he can learn how to read when he sees a brown person reading from a newspaper. He mom gives him a blue alphabet song
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book and he practices writing the letter even though he does not know how to say the letters or sing the alphabet song. He then goes to find the brown man who was reading the newspaper and has him teach him the song from the book. Booker is totally happy and has even more hope when the man writes Booker in the dirt.Personal Reaction:
It's eye opening to see how privileged I was to learn to read and write in school. I feel bad that this little Booker boy has to work at such an young age and has to really learn how to read and write pretty much on his own. I am much more thankful and appreciate the history in this book.
Classroom Extension:
1) Splitting the classroom into a few groups and having sand boxes and sticks to spell words in the sand.
2) Maybe hear from students who had to learn how to read and write English. Maybe they can share their experience and how similar it was to Booker who wanted to learn to read.
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LibraryThing member AlexWyatt
More Than Anything Else is a powerful story of a young African-American boy that, although free, still works from sun-up to sundown in a salt factory. This young boy does not shirk any of his responsibility to help his family he just wants to read. I really liked this book but I think it is because
The illustrations are done with watercolor. The pictures are dark and as though life only takes place in the dark. There is only one picture that is light and that is when the boy and his family are working at the saltworks. The facial expressions of the characters show people that work hard everyday to just get by yet the reader can feel the love between the families. The illustrations play a large roll in the impact of this book.
The story is told in first person with Booker telling his story. The need for him to read comes through so loud throughout the story. “I see a man reading a newspaper aloud and all doubts falls away. I have found the hope, and it is as brown as me.” This is a great example of how much Booker wants to read. “They don’t see what I see. They don’t see what I can be.” He is talking about his family not being able to see his potential, especially if he could read. Writing this book in first person made it so much stronger.
This book has the ability to show its readers that reading is not something we should take for granted. Although everyone is given the opportunity to learn to read today it was not always the case in history. Being able to read was a privilege and something many were denied. Reading a story like this helps the reader to have an appreciation for what they have today.
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I can relate to the history behind the story. I wonder if school-aged children today would understand the powerful need this young boy feels. The illustrations are done with watercolor. The pictures are dark and as though life only takes place in the dark. There is only one picture that is light and that is when the boy and his family are working at the saltworks. The facial expressions of the characters show people that work hard everyday to just get by yet the reader can feel the love between the families. The illustrations play a large roll in the impact of this book.
The story is told in first person with Booker telling his story. The need for him to read comes through so loud throughout the story. “I see a man reading a newspaper aloud and all doubts falls away. I have found the hope, and it is as brown as me.” This is a great example of how much Booker wants to read. “They don’t see what I see. They don’t see what I can be.” He is talking about his family not being able to see his potential, especially if he could read. Writing this book in first person made it so much stronger.
This book has the ability to show its readers that reading is not something we should take for granted. Although everyone is given the opportunity to learn to read today it was not always the case in history. Being able to read was a privilege and something many were denied. Reading a story like this helps the reader to have an appreciation for what they have today.
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LibraryThing member SydneySays
Summary:
This historical realism book is about a young African American boy who works with his dad and brother shoveling salt from sun up to sun down. The boy and his family used to be slaves, but are now free. More than anything else the young boy wants to learn how to read. He tells his mother
Personal Summary:
I like that this story shows children that learning to read and write hasn't always been as easy as it is today. I also like that this book shows children that if they have a dream they think is close to impossible they should never give up.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Before reading the book to students tell them this is a story of a boy who wants to learn to read and he does not give up on his goal. Ask students if there has ever been something they wanted so badly that they would not give up until it happened. Have students write or draw a goal for themselves and sign their names. Title the banner "Go for the Goal". Hang it up to remind students of the goals they want to achieve.
2. Pick another character from the story. Retell the story from that character’s point of view. Characters they could choose from would be mama, papa, brother, little sister, and the man with newspaper.
This historical realism book is about a young African American boy who works with his dad and brother shoveling salt from sun up to sun down. The boy and his family used to be slaves, but are now free. More than anything else the young boy wants to learn how to read. He tells his mother
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about his desire to read and she gives him a book of the alphabet, however the boy and his mother are unable to read the letters in the book. The boy dreams about what the letters might be and he eventually finds a man who can teach him to read and write. The boy feels like he is saved and what he wants more than anything else has finally come true. Personal Summary:
I like that this story shows children that learning to read and write hasn't always been as easy as it is today. I also like that this book shows children that if they have a dream they think is close to impossible they should never give up.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Before reading the book to students tell them this is a story of a boy who wants to learn to read and he does not give up on his goal. Ask students if there has ever been something they wanted so badly that they would not give up until it happened. Have students write or draw a goal for themselves and sign their names. Title the banner "Go for the Goal". Hang it up to remind students of the goals they want to achieve.
2. Pick another character from the story. Retell the story from that character’s point of view. Characters they could choose from would be mama, papa, brother, little sister, and the man with newspaper.
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Awards
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Picture Book — 1998)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Children's Picture — 1998)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades K-3 — 1997)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Picture Books — 1997)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Primary — 1996)
Books From All 50 States (and Washington, D.C.!) (West Virginia)
Notable Children's Book (1996)
Teacher Favorites Award (1994-1996)
Language
Physical description
27 cm
ISBN
0531094642 / 9780531094648