Days of Jubilee: the End of Slavery in the United States (bk 2) (144 pgs)

McKissack, Patricia C. and Frederick L (2003). Days of jubilee: the end of slavery in the United States. Scholastic, New York.

Summary:
Days of Jubilee is an account of the Civil War and the slaves’ fight for freedom. Using diary entries, actual slave interviews, and accounts from former slaves and freedmen alike the authors paint a vivid picture of the slaves’ journey to freedom. They also explain why there is not just one day of jubilee, but many.

Author: Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack
Illustrator: N/A
Access Features: Table of Contents, Introduction, Time Line, Bibliography, Index
Illustrations: Pictures prominent figures in the book taken from various historical societies.
Curriculum: Social Studies
Use of book in Classroom: This book would be a wonderful resource to use to study the causes and effects of the Civil War and how slavery came to be abolished.
Credibility of Author: The authors make note of all the references they used to write this book. They have a bibliography in the back of the book and also label all quotes and pictures throughout
Grade Level: Grades 5-12
Awards: Coretta Scott King Author Award
National Standards: Social Studies: Standard 4: Individual Development and Identity; Standard 5: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions; Standard 6: Power, Authority, and Governance
Related Texts: From Slave Ship to Freedom Road by: Julius Lester-journey through the slave experience; Fleeing to Freedom on the Underground Railroad by: Elaine Landau-history of slavery and the Underground Railroad; Solomon Northrup’s Twelve Years a Slave by: Sue Eakin-describes the life of a free black man who was kidnapped and forced into slavery in Louisiana for twelve years.

Response:
I learned a lot reading this book. It seems that there is a lot of information about the Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves that is never taught in school. The husband and wife team do a wonderful job of making little known truths evident. The diary entries and actual accounts place a lot of emphasis on the plight of the slaves and adds credibility to the account of the Civil War the authors are trying to present.