Freedom like Sunlight: Praisesongs for Black Americans

Bibliography

Lewis, J.P.(2000). Freedom like sunlight: Praisesongs for Black Americans. Ill. by John Thompson. Minnesota: Creative Editions. ISBN 978-0898123821.

Review

J. Patrick Lewis honors thirteen African Americans whose legacies have left an impact on society in this celebratory book. The poems highlight the struggles faced by those that wouldn’t accept injustices as shown in the poem “Rosa Parks”:

“And Many a fire was set that night,

And Many a head turned ghostly white

Because she dared disturb the peace”.

Talented African Americans like Marian Anderson are also celebrated. Her voice is compared to a paintbrush painting a masterpiece. The poems are rich with beautiful language, metaphors, and repetition, and they present facts in a way that will captivate students and encourage them to seek more information on the individuals. Each poem is accompanied with a detailed portrait of its subject created using pastels, pencils, and paints. The portraits themselves provide biographical information such as the two page spread of Martin Luther King, Jr. being arrested or the portrait of Harriet Tubman courageously leading a slave to freedom as she grasp her hand firmly. The poems are excellent for accompanying biographical studies or just enjoying as a celebration of African American history. Students can learn more about each figure by reading the biographical notes at the end of the book.

Classroom/Library Connection

Recommended audience: upper elementary students

Before reading: Play the students the song “Go Down, Moses” so that they can hear the tune.

During reading: Read the poem “Sojourner Truth” to students and let them hear the words to each verse and the chorus.

Here is the first verse, chorus and last verse of the poem:

I was Isabella born,

Children, hear my cry,

And I was child to scalding scorn,

Children hear my cry.

Chorus:

Hold on, Jesus, ain’t I a woman born?

Tell the children, let them hear my cry.

I go on preaching freedom’s fire.

Children, hear my cry.

It ain’t for sale and it ain’t for hire,

Children, hear my cry.

Chorus

After reading: Have the chorus posted on a SMART board or chart paper so that students can sing it as you read the poem a second time.