Frederick Douglass was a self-educated enslaved man in the South who grew up to become an icon. He was a leader of the abolitionist movement, a celebrated writer, an esteemed speaker, and a social reformer, proving that, as he said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Ages 6–10.
About the Author
Walter Dean Myers was the New York Times bestselling author of Monster, the winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award; a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature; and an inaugural NYC Literary Honoree. Myers received every single major award in the field of children’s literature. He was the author of two Newbery Honor Books and six Coretta Scott King Awardees. He was the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults, a three-time National Book Award Finalist, as well as the first-ever recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Read Aloud Tips
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Set the tone for classroom discourse surrounding civil rights and social justice.
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Douglass said “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Use conversation centers to discuss what this means and how students became free once they learned to lead.
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Douglass overcome great odds to be educated. Discuss how students around the world, in the U.S. and elsewhere, overcome odds to get an education.
“Young readers will certainly come away with an understanding of how one person, in spite of overwhelming odds, can make a difference. Cooper’s signature style brilliantly sings in clear and resounding volumes across every page….A posthumous title of distinction from [Myers].” – Kirkus Reviews