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Answering the Cry for Freedom: Stories of African Americans and the American Revolution Hardcover – Illustrated, October 4, 2016

by Gretchen Woelfle (Author), R. Gregory Christie (Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 195 ratings
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Uncover the lives of thirteen African-Americans who fought during the Revolutionary War.   

Even as American Patriots fought for independence from British rule during the Revolutionary War, oppressive conditions remained in place for the thousands of enslaved and free African Americans living in this country. But African Americans took up their own fight for freedom by joining the British and American armies; preaching, speaking out, and writing about the evils of slavery; and establishing settlements in Nova Scotia and Africa. The thirteen stories featured in this collection spotlight charismatic individuals who answered the cry for freedom, focusing on the choices they made and how they changed America both then and now. These individuals include: Boston King, Agrippa Hull, James Armistead Lafayette, Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, Prince Hall, Mary Perth, Ona Judge, Sally Hemings, Paul Cuffe, John Kizell, Richard Allen, and Jarena Lee. Includes individual bibliographies and timelines, author note, and source notes.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    4 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    1040L
  6. Dimensions
    8.31 x 0.91 x 10.31 inches
  7. Publisher
    Calkins Creek
  8. Publication date
    October 4, 2016
  9. ISBN-10
    162979306X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1629793061
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

bg2

THE STORY OF A HIDDEN CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The thirteen people in this book include men and women, free and enslaved, northern and southern, African-born and American-born; soldiers, preachers, farmers, a sea captain, a poet...

They had heard the claim that all people are free and equal. They believed it.

Learn about the risks they took, the hardships they faced, and the victories they won.

module3

I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate

Was snatch’d from Afric’s fancy’d happy seat:

--------------------------

Such, such my case. And can I then but pray

Others may never feel tyrannic sway?

—— Phillis Wheatley

"I began to feel the HAPPINESS OF LIBERTY, of which I knew NOTHING before."

three soldiers

Philis' poem

R.A.

Boston King, an enslaved South Carolinian, escaped to the British army, gained his freedom, and fought for his liberators. Agrippa Hull, born free, joined the Continental army when he was eighteen. He traveled thousands of miles away from home, served under famous Revolutionary heroes, and witnessed large-scale slavery in the south. James Armistead Lafayette, enslaved in Virginia, joined the Continental army and became a spy for the Americans, then a double agent.

No one could teach Phillis Wheatley how to balance her two worlds—polite white society and her African heritage—for no one shared her position. But Phillis learned how to do it—with poetry. What’s more, she used poetry to speak about the fractious politics of the day. Phillis Wheatley dared to speak her truth to the world: she was proud to be a poet, a Christian, and an African American.

In Philadelphia’s St. George’s Methodist Church, African Americans were not allowed downstairs with the white worshipers. Richard Allen fought against the rule by leading the entire black congregation down the stairs and out of the church. Their dramatic protest made it clear that Allen and his friends believed that “all men are created equal.”

left

How is ANSWERING THE CRY FOR FREEDOM relevant to kids today?

Even though the thirteen people in Answering the Cry lived a long time ago under very different circumstances, we share many of their feelings and longings. Sometimes they were unsure of themselves, afraid, and confused. They made mistakes. We can all relate to these experiences. Answering the Cry demonstrates that people don’t have to become famous like Richard Allen and Phillis Wheatley to make a difference... I hope readers will see that there are many ways to lead an honorable life. I also hope the book will inspire readers to look for other untold stories, not only in history but also in their own families, in their communities. Everyone has a story to tell.

—— Gretchen Woelfle, author of the book

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–9—There is a dearth of resources available to students interested in the history and inner lives of free and enslaved African Americans in early U.S. history. This informational text uncovers a bit of that lost history through accounts and stories of 13 individuals who lived through or fought in the Revolutionary War while grappling with their own lack of freedom and autonomy. Through the use of personal testimonies, Woelfle presents an approachable but detailed narrative. Pull quotes in bold and simple but telling illustrations allow the work to flow like a storybook. Individuals profiled include Boston King, Agrippa Hull, James Armistead Lafayette, Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, Prince Hall, Mary Perth, Ona Judge, Sally Hemings, Paul Cuffe, John Kizell, Richard Allen, and Jarena Lee. Each short profile examines the subject's family history, personal life, and fight for freedom. In the back matter, each individual covered receives an author's note, time line, bibliography, and source notes—encouraging readers to go further in their own exploration. VERDICT Researchers and history fans alike will surely appreciate this work that brings attention to a missing part of U.S. history. Recommended for libraries and classrooms that serve middle school students.—Nikitia Wilson, Queens Library, NY

Review

"Biographical sketches tell of 13 remarkable black men and women... (t)he well-told stories, illustrated with striking silhouettes by Christie, can be read independently of one another.... Accessible, inspiring accounts of courageous men and women."—Kirkus Reviews

"Author Woelfle and illustrator Christie share the stories of African American patriots of the American Revolution, an important and interesting part of history that is not often covered in texts. The personal stories will inspire and guide many who are forging their own path for equal rights today....a well researched book that will make history relatable for students."—VOYA

“Woelfle’s storytelling clips nicely along. What elevates this effort are the saucy, old-timey ink illustrations by Christie.”—The Atlanta Journal Constitution

“Students will easily identify with the challenges faced by these notables…Teachers will love the extensively researched text, and librarians will love the in-text quotes, poems, journal excerpts, letters, epitaphs, testimonies, and other primary source content. Skillfully written by multiple award-winning author, Woelfle, and illustrated with pen and ink drawings by award-winning illustrator, Christie, this book…is ideally suited for all middle grades studying early American history, civil rights, and government. Highly Recommended.”—School Library Connection
 
“This outstanding book is not just a history of African Americans, but rather an honest look at the complicated, often hypocritical definitions that Americans have ascribed to the idea of liberty from our earliest days.”—Booklist
 
“Through the use of personal testimonies, Woelfle presents an approachable but detailed narrative. Pull quotes in bold and simple but telling illustrations allow the work to flow like a storybook. Researchers and history fans alike will surely appreciate this work that brings attention to a missing part of U.S. history.”—School Library Journal
 
“Thirteen combined biographies showcase the different experiences of African Americans in the years surrounding the American Revolution. Each tale carefully highlights both the individual's unique story (soldier; slave; minister, trader, etc.) and unifying themes.”—The Horn Book Guide

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Calkins Creek; Illustrated edition (October 4, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 162979306X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1629793061
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1040L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.85 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.31 x 0.91 x 10.31 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 195 ratings

About the authors

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  1. R. Gregory Christie

    R. Gregory Christie

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    R. Gregory Christie is a multi award-winning illustrator and author for numerous children's books. His passion for art has presented him the NAACP Image Award, Caldecott Honor, Sibert Honor, an Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nomination, three New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year Award, and six Coretta Scott King Honor Awards in Illustration. He is the owner of GAS Art Gifts, an online children’s bookstore that sells the books, art and stationery connected to his published titles. Find out more about Gregory and his store’s services by visiting www.gas-art.com and see information about his lecturing services on www.rgregorychristie.com.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Gretchen Woelfle

    Gretchen Woelfle

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Gretchen Woelfle is an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers. She is most curious – some say nosy – about people who do extraordinary things. Some are already famous. Others, like Jeannette Rankin and Mumbet, should be more famous. When not traveling in Europe and Asia, sometimes on a bicycle, looking for new stories, Gretchen lives in Los Angeles, California. There you’ll find her tending her garden, with seven different fruit trees, blackberries, passion fruit, veggies, and a tree drooping with dozens of avocados. Or running through a playground keeping track of her toddler twin grandchildren. Or singing in a choir. Or hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains. But mostly just sitting around researching, writing, and rewriting another book. More at www.gretchenwoelfle.com

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
195 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Krista Gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, thoughtful book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
My 12 year old is reading this for homeschool. I wish I had time to read it all myself. I’ve had to tell her to do other school work or she’d read it all at once! It’s soul-feeding to read well written stories about these amazing people.
One person found this helpful
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Melissa Esplin
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring stories, objective perspective
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
Well written, great story telling, engaging, organized in a format perfect for one-at-a-time lessons. Highly recommend.
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Esther I.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
Great quality hardcover book. Very nicely bound.
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Consuelo F. Cates
5.0 out of 5 stars I’m glad I purchased this book
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
I love to help a detailed history in this book.
2 people found this helpful
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scostner1
5.0 out of 5 stars Expanding on History
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2018
Many students might be surprised to learn that African Americans played roles on both sides of the American Revolution, sometimes even playing the part of double-agent. This collection of stories shares the experiences of 13 such individuals during those early years of our nation's founding. While some readers may have heard of Phillis Wheatley or Sally Hemings, many of the others will be newly discovered characters in U.S. history.

This is a good introductory collection for social studies units on the time period, or for those who are looking for more information than the usual details covered in a textbook. I would also suggest pairing this with some of the picture book biographies available such as:
- Mumbet's Declaration of Independence by Gretchen Woelfle,
- A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Armistead Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent by Anne F. Rockwell, or
- Phillis Sings Out Freedom: The Story of George Washington and Phillis Wheatley by Ann Malaspina and Susan Keeler.

I love the illustrations by R. Gregory Christie and the way Gretchen Woelfle incorporates quotes from the individuals whenever possible. As Agrippa Hull said, "It is not the cover of the book, but what the book contains [that] is the question. Many a good book has dark covers." Back matter in this particular book includes helpful timelines for the lives of each individual, a selected bibliography of books and websites, source notes, and an index.

A very helpful addition to elementary school library or classroom collections or grade levels studying the period of the American Revolution.
15 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Some had painful choices to make in service of this quest
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2018
ANSWERING THE CRY FOR FREEDOM, stories of African Americans and the American Revolution by Gretchen Woelfle, was deservedly granted a Eureka! Honor Book Award by the California Reading Association. It is scholarly and well-researched, but also alive with the fascinating details of the lives of thirteen men and women striving for freedom. Ms. Woelfle is a warm, respectful storyteller and she shows how the quest for freedom and self-respect is the driving force of their lives, whether freed or slave, educated or not, Patriot or British Loyalist. Some had painful choices to make in service of this quest: Ona Judge, Martha Washington’s enslaved maid, who chose to run away rather than remain in a life of relative comfort; Sally Hemings, who exchanged freedom in France to return to America and her family, because of Thomas Jefferson’s promise of freedom for her children; Boston King, who gave up his American family for the freedom offered by the British army, despite the gamble that they might lose the war. The choices were painful and Woelfle poignantly makes them real. Author notes and timelines, a bibliography and source notes are included. This book belongs in every school library, and is a necessary addition to a home library as well. Bravo!
4 people found this helpful
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K. LaFleur
5.0 out of 5 stars …………………What I Like About This Book ……………………
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2020
I really like this book because it talks about history and people.I would pay $100 for it.It is sooooooooooo good!
2 people found this helpful
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Parentsoffourboys
1.0 out of 5 stars Ambleside Online should not recommend this book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2023
Ambleside Online should be ashamed to promote and or recommend this book. It truly is difficult to have a great book that has multiple snippets of biographies. The major issue with this book is that the author definitely allows her very liberal biases to engulf the vibrant stories of people. Because of todays bent to believe that systemic racism is rampant and that telling a brown skinned persons story should be wrought with hardships solely because of color, we neglect the gestalt of the personhood, the truly miraculous story of a who a person is, to simply feed a theory or agenda.
I bought this book on the recommendation of Ambleside Online Curriculum and definitely was disappointed. I want my children to understand and recognize the theories of life that stem from a Biblical perspective. That all people have a beautiful story and that people in their personhood have choices and God given abilities special to them. This book used people to attempt to prove a theory and for that alone should be discredited. Stop using people to promote nasty agendas, especially people who are no longer living and can not speak for themselves.
25 people found this helpful
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