The Clothesline Code by Janet Halfmann

The Clothesline Code by Janet Halfmann is the fascinating story of Lucy Ann and Dabney Walker, who risked it all to save lives.

After learning about the way the Union intelligence camp used flag codes to communicate over long distances, Dabney Walker and his wife Lucy Ann devised a way to use laundry to create a clothesline code to send signals across the river, putting the Walkers–especially Lucy Ann–in grave danger.

This story shares the bravery of the Walkers, and how their efforts helped the Union army prepare to battle the Confederate army in the spring. The Afterword provides more information about these courageous people and the time period.

Sharing an important and, perhaps not as well known, story from this time period in history is the perfect way to celebrate Black History Month and honor the sacrifices many Blacks made to help the Union. Halfmann’s books never disappoint.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Publisher : Brandylane Publishers, Inc. (February 1, 2021)
• Language : English
• Hardcover : 36 pages
• ISBN-10 : 1951565576
• ISBN-13 : 978-1951565572
• Reading age : 6 – 11 years

I received a digital copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls by Janet Halfmann

Part of “The Story of” biography series from Lee & Low books, The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls by Janet Halfmann is a chapter book providing a glimpse into this brave, amazing man who was born into slavery and became a national hero.

Born in the slave quarters of a plantation in Beaufort, South Carolina, Robert Smalls began working for his master at the age of six. As his master’s favorite, Smalls led an easier life than other enslaved people, but he still witnessed the evils of slavery. As he grew into a young man, he knew he wanted more for his life and for his people than living as the property of another man. The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls tells the story of the daring plan Smalls implemented to bring his family and others to freedom and how he helped the Union cause. It also follows his life after the war as a member of the United States Congress, a publisher, and a lifelong advocate for African Americans.

 

This is the second book by Janet Halfmann about the life of Robert Smalls that I’ve read. The picture book, Seven Miles to Freedom, is an excellent choice for younger readers. The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls is geared toward school-age children. In addition to the biography of Smalls, additional historical content  provides an in-depth look into the times in which Small lived. According to the publisher’s website, “The Story of” books include: informative sidebars, highlighted vocabulary words, a timeline, a glossary, a bibliography, and a recommended reading list. This information makes The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls the perfect book for school and public libraries and a great resource for all types of school projects. An inspiring story of a true American hero, The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls is a welcome addition to any Civil War library.

The style of artwork from talented children’s book illustrator Duane Smith allows the reader to envision Smalls’ journeys from his dreams of freedom through his days of piloting the Planter wood-burning steamer. The book also includes historical photos.

I am proud to add The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls to my Civil War library.

Highly recommended!

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Age Range: 8 – 11 years
Grade Level: 3 – 4
Series: Story of…?
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (February 25, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1643790161
ISBN-13: 978-1643790169

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Midnight Teacher by Janet Halfmann

Midnight Teacher by Janet Halfmann is the story of one woman’s courageous journey to improve the lives of others through literacy.

Born into slavery, Lilly Ann Granderson was sold to a slave owner in Kentucky after the death of her mother. The master’s children would often play school and gave Lilly an old speller and taught her to read. She began sharing this gift of reading with others on the plantation. Once the owner died, she was sold to a cotton plantation in Mississippi, where it was illegal for slaves to learn to read. Undeterred, she restarted her school, teaching late at night to avoid being caught. The school grew. When patrollers discovered the slave school Lilly faced a hard punishment, but the authorities eventually ruled there was no law against a slave teaching other slaves.

What I admire about Halfmann’s biographies is that she highlights people who have made a difference in this world long past the pivotal times in which they lived. Granderson’s story displays her tremendous strength and determination to offer a gift that others took for granted because it was never a right denied to them. She knew the risks and faced them without fear of the consequences because she believed education was the path to freedom for her people. Between Halfmann’s moving text and London Ladd’s stunning artwork, the reader is immediately drawn into Granderson’s story.

A perfect book for any school or personal library, Midnight Teacher could inspire many school projects and empower young people to action for the causes for which they are passionate.

Highly recommended!

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Grades 1-6
Reading Level Grades 3-6
Lexile Measure: 950 (What’s this?)
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books; Illustrated edition (February 13, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620141639
ISBN-13: 978-1620141632

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Seven Miles to Freedom by Janet Halfmann

Growing up a slave in South Carolina, Robert Smalls always dreamed of the moment freedom would be within his grasp. Now that moment was here.

Robert stood proudly at the Planter’s wheel. Only seven miles of water lay between the ship and the chance of freedom in Union territory. With precision and amazing courage, he navigated past the Confederate forts in the harbor and steered the ship toward the safety of the Union fleet. Just one miscalculation would be deadly, but for Robert, his family, and his crewmates, the risk was worth taking.

Seven Miles to Freedom is the compelling account of the daring escape of Robert Smalls, a slave steamboat wheelman who became one of the Civil War’s greatest heroes. His steadfast courage in the face of adversity is an inspiring model for all who attempt to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Read an excerpt!

In late 1861 freedom suddenly grew closer for Robert and Hannah. The Union navy captured Fort Royal, just down the coast from Charleston. A Union fleet set up a blockade at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. Looking thorough the captain’s field glasses, Robert could see the northern ships. The Union lines and freedom were within reach—only seven miles away.

Read the Reviews!

“The daring Civil War escape of a slave, his crew and their families in a stolen Confederate supply boat receives appropriately inspirational treatment in this new picture book. . . .Smith, a newcomer to picture books, sketches out scenes and characters with broad daubs of oil, creating a sculptural effect that heightens the monumental nature of Smalls’s deed. Page turns and textual pacing combine to relate the actual escape with pulse-pounding excitement; readers’ relief at Smalls’s success is almost physical. A triumph.”

–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“This book is an excellent vehicle to bring [Smalls’s] story to a wider audience. . . .The oil paintings employ thick, bold strokes and deep saturated colors to convey Smalls’s strength and determination in successfully delivering his and his crew’s family members to freedom.”

–School Library Journal

“The story is simply told with the appropriate perspective of the era and the risks taken by the participants. Dramatically illustrated, this book should find a sympathetic audience among young readers and help reestablish in public memory the existence of a remarkable person.”

—The Bloomsbury Review, Editor’s Favorite

Awards:

Starred Review: Kirkus Reviews
Honor Book: Society of School Librarians International
Best Children’s Books of the Year: Bank Street College of Education
Editor’s Favorites: The Bloomsbury Review
Honor Book: Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Land of Enchantment Book Award Masterlist: New Mexico Library Association
Beehive Book Awards Nominee: Children’s Literature Association of Utah
Reading Circle Program: Missouri State Teachers Association

Purchase Seven Miles to Freedom by Janet Halfmann at:

Lee & Low Books – http://www.leeandlow.com/books/173/hc/seven_miles_to_freedom

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Miles-Freedom-Robert-Smalls/dp/1600602320/

Barnes and Noble – http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Seven-Miles-to-Freedom/Janet-Halfmann/e/9781600602320/

Teaching guide for Seven Miles to Freedom by the National Museum of American History:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/ourstory/activities/smalls/

Janet Halfmann is an award-winning children’s author who strives to make her books come alive for young readers and listeners. She has written more than thirty fiction and nonfiction books.

Before becoming a children’s author, Janet was a daily newspaper reporter, children’s magazine editor, and a creator of coloring and activity books for Golden Books. She is the mother of four and the grandmother of four. When Janet isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening, exploring nature, visiting living history museums, and spending time with her family. She grew up on a farm in Michigan and now lives in South Milwaukee, WI.

Visit Janet online at:

Website: http://www.janethalfmann.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/janethalfmann
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/janethalfmann

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