Freedom's School

When Lizzie's parents are granted their freedom from slavery, Mama says its time for Lizzie and her brother Paul to go to a real school--a new one, built just for them. Lizzie can't wait. The scraps of learning she has picked up here and there have just made her hungry for more.

The walk to school is long. Some days it's rainy, or windy, or freezing cold. Sometimes there are dangers lurking along the way, like angry white folks with rocks, or mysterious men on horseback. The schoolhouse is still unpainted, and its very plain, but Lizzie has never seen a prettier sight. Except for maybe the teacher, Mizz Howard, who has brown skin, just like her.

They've finally made it to Freedom's School. But will it be strong enough to stand forever?

“"Ransome's watercolor paintings are richly evocative of the seasons while also creating memorable characters and emotions. Readers don't need to have been recently emancipated to understand this eloquent testament to the overriding importance of school." -- Kirkus Reviews”

"A stunning package that adds to the body of literature documenting the African American experience."--School Library Journal
"James Ransome's watercolors are, as always, emotionally generous, cinematic in their sensibility, and resplendent with gorgeous color.... Readers will come away understanding why it takes more than the stroke of a pen to give people the justice and equality they deserve."--Publishers Weekly
"Ransome's watercolor paintings are richly evocative of the seasons while also creating memorable characters and emotions. Readers don't need to have been recently emancipated to understand this eloquent testament to the overriding importance of school."--Kirkus Reviews

Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome have paired up to create several acclaimed picture books, including Satchel Paige, Young Pele, Quilt Alphabet, Before There Was Mozart, Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass, Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson, and Light in the Darkness. Lesa is also the author of Before Now, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Freedom was inspired by her research into African American education immediately following the Emancipation Proclamation.

James E. Ransome has illustrated nearly fifty books for children, including The Creation, a Coretta Scott King Award Book; Uncle Jed's Barbershop, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book; This Is the Dream; and A Pride of African Tales, an NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. His traveling exhibit Visual Stories has been touring the United States since 2003. The Children's Book Council named him one of seventy-five authors and illustrators everyone should know. Lesa and James live in Rhinebeck, New York, with their four children and their Saint Bernard, Nola.

When Lizzie's parents are granted their freedom from slavery, Mama says its time for Lizzie and her brother Paul to go to a real school--a new one, built just for them. Lizzie can't wait. The scraps of learning she has picked up here and there have just made her hungry for more.The walk to school is long. Some days it's rainy, or windy, or freezing cold. Sometimes there are dangers lurking along the way, like angry white folks with rocks, or mysterious men on horseback. The schoolhouse is still unpainted, and its very plain, but Lizzie has never seen a prettier sight. Except for maybe the teacher, Mizz Howard, who has brown skin, just like her.They've finally made it to Freedom's School. But will it be strong enough to stand forever?

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