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A review by rhymeswithjoey
More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby
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.