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A Day for Rememberin': Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day by Leah Henderson
mandarchy's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Beautifully illustrated and well researched historical fiction picture book retelling the events of one of the first memorial day celebrations in the United States after the Civil War. The book includes background information that guided the research, a bibliography, web links and a timeline. A classroom could use this book in May leading up to the holiday weekend or use it as an example of how children can volunteer in service to their community.
libraryjen's review
4.0
A fictionalized account of one of the first celebrations of "Decoration Day" - the precursor to the modern Memorial Day. There's some great information in the author's notes at the end, too. Not a great group read aloud for story time, but it would be a great classroom read aloud to begin a discussion.
middle_name_joy's review
5.0
If you think you know why Memorial Day is celebrated each end of May, you don't. [b:A Day for Rememberin': The First Memorial Day|54711011|A Day for Rememberin' The First Memorial Day|Leah Henderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1608386873l/54711011._SX50_.jpg|85358964] shines a light on one particular point of origin, while acknowledging that there were many similar memorials in various locations around the same post-Civil War time. But so much of history has been white-washed (especially what is taught in American schools). The impact of minorities throughout our country's history is often erased.
I'm ashamed that I learned about the "Martyrs of the Race Course" from a picture book. I'm ashamed that I learned for the first time what Confederate forces did to Union soldiers at the makeshift prison of Washington Race Course in Charleston, South Carolina. I'm ashamed that I learned what twenty-eight newly freed men did to honor those 257 Union men who died there. I'm in my thirties.
More stories like this need to be told (and published). They need to be woven into the history that we all hear. Leah Henderson is like an author to watch for her well-researched and thoughtful representation; I'm eager to read more of her books, just as soon as I can prod my library into purchasing them...
I'm ashamed that I learned about the "Martyrs of the Race Course" from a picture book. I'm ashamed that I learned for the first time what Confederate forces did to Union soldiers at the makeshift prison of Washington Race Course in Charleston, South Carolina. I'm ashamed that I learned what twenty-eight newly freed men did to honor those 257 Union men who died there. I'm in my thirties.
More stories like this need to be told (and published). They need to be woven into the history that we all hear. Leah Henderson is like an author to watch for her well-researched and thoughtful representation; I'm eager to read more of her books, just as soon as I can prod my library into purchasing them...
pinkrain718's review
5.0
This beautiful picture book tells a story often forgotten about the first Decoration Day. I look forward to using this book with my students to help them learn and understand the origins of Memorial Day.
chrysfey's review
5.0
A line in the story reads, “Masters locked away learning ‘cause knowledge is it’s own freedom.” And damn. Doesn’t that just shine even more light on the fact that students aren’t taught the truth about a lot of our American history in school? Why aren’t certain things taught? Why are things altered? Because “knowledge is it’s own freedom.”
This fictional telling of the first Memorial Day (Decoration Day) was very moving.
This fictional telling of the first Memorial Day (Decoration Day) was very moving.
mutuallyinclusive's review
4.0
This beautiful picture book is a fictionalized account of a true historical event that many believe to be the first celebration of Memorial Day. Though today we honor veterans of all wars, Memorial Day began as Decoration Day in Charleston, South Carolina when newly freed citizens marched to honor the Union soldiers who fought for their freedom in the Civil War.
During the Civil War, the Confederate Army converted the Washington Race Course in Charleston into a prison. They imprisoned captured Union soldiers and subjected them to inhumane treatment. Though the prison was only open for seven months, 257 Union prisoner died there due to exposure, disease, and starvation.
Shortly after the end of the civil war, twenty-eight newly freed men volunteered their time and labor to create a permanent resting place for the Union soldiers who fought for their freedom. On May 1, 1865, the first free May Day – in a time when Black people weren’t allowed to congregate freely – 10,000 Charleston residents gathered to march, sing, and spread flower petals to honor the lives of those soldiers. While some may not agree with Leah Henderson’s assertation that this was the first Memorial Day celebration, it’s hard to argue with the dates.
In A Day For Rememberin’ we follow ten-year-old Eli, a (fictional) son of one of the men who worked to build the cemetery. Eli longs to join his father in his work, but he must attend school, now that he has the freedom to do so. On the tenth day, Eli and other boys his age are allowed to help whitewash the fence. The next day, newly freed citizens, abolitionists, missionaries, and more all gather at the racecourse to honor the fallen soldiers.
A Day For Rememberin’ is an essential history lesson with a whole lot of heart. The back matter contains a fantastic Author’s Note, further detail about the history of Decoration Day, and a timeline. I would highly recommend this title for classrooms and school libraries.
The illustrations by Floyd Cooper are fantastic. They perfectly capture Eli and all the residents of Charleston, taking readers back in time.
Leah Henderson is an award-winning author of multiple titles for young readers, including one of my personal favorites: The Teacher’s March. Please visit Leah’s website at leahhendersonbooks.com.
Floyd Cooper is the award-winning author and illustrator of Max and The Tag Along Moon, Jump, and many other children’s books. To learn more about Floyd and his work, please visit his website at floydcooper.com.
Thank you so much to Abrams Books For Young Readers for sharing a review copy of A Day For Rememberin’ with me. I am so honored to share this story with my readers today.
During the Civil War, the Confederate Army converted the Washington Race Course in Charleston into a prison. They imprisoned captured Union soldiers and subjected them to inhumane treatment. Though the prison was only open for seven months, 257 Union prisoner died there due to exposure, disease, and starvation.
Shortly after the end of the civil war, twenty-eight newly freed men volunteered their time and labor to create a permanent resting place for the Union soldiers who fought for their freedom. On May 1, 1865, the first free May Day – in a time when Black people weren’t allowed to congregate freely – 10,000 Charleston residents gathered to march, sing, and spread flower petals to honor the lives of those soldiers. While some may not agree with Leah Henderson’s assertation that this was the first Memorial Day celebration, it’s hard to argue with the dates.
In A Day For Rememberin’ we follow ten-year-old Eli, a (fictional) son of one of the men who worked to build the cemetery. Eli longs to join his father in his work, but he must attend school, now that he has the freedom to do so. On the tenth day, Eli and other boys his age are allowed to help whitewash the fence. The next day, newly freed citizens, abolitionists, missionaries, and more all gather at the racecourse to honor the fallen soldiers.
A Day For Rememberin’ is an essential history lesson with a whole lot of heart. The back matter contains a fantastic Author’s Note, further detail about the history of Decoration Day, and a timeline. I would highly recommend this title for classrooms and school libraries.
The illustrations by Floyd Cooper are fantastic. They perfectly capture Eli and all the residents of Charleston, taking readers back in time.
Leah Henderson is an award-winning author of multiple titles for young readers, including one of my personal favorites: The Teacher’s March. Please visit Leah’s website at leahhendersonbooks.com.
Floyd Cooper is the award-winning author and illustrator of Max and The Tag Along Moon, Jump, and many other children’s books. To learn more about Floyd and his work, please visit his website at floydcooper.com.
Thank you so much to Abrams Books For Young Readers for sharing a review copy of A Day For Rememberin’ with me. I am so honored to share this story with my readers today.
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