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sducharme's review against another edition
4.0
A young African American boy works hard alongside his father at a salt factory and dreams of the day he'll learn to read. He watches and listens as another man reads aloud to his community and yearns to be the one reading, the one everyone will listen to someday. When he tells his mother he wants to learn, she gives him a book, one she can't understand herself; he puzzles over it, tracing letters, and imagining sounds. But he can't figure it out alone; he needs the newspaper man to "sing" the sounds of the letters. When he finds him, all the pieces fall into place and when he learns the letters and sound of his own name it's a joyful moment for him and an emotional one for us. Double page, full bleed realistic watercolors.
< Spoiler >
His name is "Booker" and we know what he doesn't: he WILL be a person others listen to!
< Spoiler >
His name is "Booker" and we know what he doesn't: he WILL be a person others listen to!
rhymeswithjoey's review against another edition
4.0
This book is historical fiction following a young Booker T. Washington as he works with his family and yearns to learn how to read. He sees a black man reading a newspaper aloud to a crowd inspires Booker and his mother gives him an alphabet book, through which he learns to read.
This book needs some context behind it in order to truly appreciate it, which pairs well with social studies lessons. Explaining to students that slaves were not allowed to read and how it was a right denied to them for so long even after slavery ended puts perspective into why young Booker wants to learn to read so badly. Knowing who Booker T Washington grew up to be also gives great context on where reading can take a person. With that knowledge, I can see students appreciating the excitement Booker has as he learns to read and write.
This book needs some context behind it in order to truly appreciate it, which pairs well with social studies lessons. Explaining to students that slaves were not allowed to read and how it was a right denied to them for so long even after slavery ended puts perspective into why young Booker wants to learn to read so badly. Knowing who Booker T Washington grew up to be also gives great context on where reading can take a person. With that knowledge, I can see students appreciating the excitement Booker has as he learns to read and write.
maddi_c16's review against another edition
5.0
This book is about a little boy who wants to learn how to read. This is shown through his determination to learn. He has a lot of struggles but more than anything he wants to learn. In the end he learns to read.
laurenpedersen's review against another edition
4.0
A short snippet of Booker T. Washington’s life from when he was 9 years old and wanted more than anything to learn to read.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
An engaging story of a young boy living in poverty who desperately wants to learn how to read because he knows it will lead to a better life. This would make a great read aloud for any grade and could spark some interesting discussions about literacy.
csd17's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely. I wanted it to go on and wasn't a fan of the stopping point. But that's a personal preference.
speterson's review against another edition
4.0
This book reveals the life of a young boy who spends most of his day packing salt with his papa and brother. He aches from working long days and imagines a life where he is privileged to read. He strives to learn to read, it is one of his greatest desires. He compares the hunger in his belly to his yearning to read. This book explores the struggles of race and the lack of opportunity during this time period. I love the use of imagery and expression through the mind of a bright and determined nine-year-old child as he ventures to learn how to read. We as teachers can often forget that reading is a gift that not all people have the opportunity to discover as shared through this story.
I believe this would be a great book to introduce race to elementary school children in a social studies or history class. This book gives insight into the mindset of a black child who is determined to learn how to read, even though very few people of color knew how. This would be a great point of view to show children during a slavery and discrimination unit.
I believe this would be a great book to introduce race to elementary school children in a social studies or history class. This book gives insight into the mindset of a black child who is determined to learn how to read, even though very few people of color knew how. This would be a great point of view to show children during a slavery and discrimination unit.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
Bradby has written a book that introduces children to Booker T. Washington but really more to the concept that despite what you may be faced with you can dream big and achieve that dream. More Than Anything Else looks at Booker T. Washington's deep desire to learn to read and how he accomplished his goal. Beautiful paintings accompany the text.
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