New York Times Bestselling author Kwame Alexander pens a powerful picture book that tells the story of American slavery through the voice of a teacher struggling to help her students understand its harrowing history.

From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people's struggle and strength, horror and hope. This is the story of American slavery, a story that needs to be told and understood by all of us. A testament to the resilience of the African American community, this book honors what has been and envisions what is to be.

This is a book for those who want to speak the truth.

Author’s note. Illustrator’s note. Full-color mixed-media illustrations created with a combination of spray paint, acrylic paint, charcoal, graphite, ink, and digital painting on wood panel, watercolor paper, and also using Procreate and Adobe Photoshop. Sculptures are both ceramic and polymer clay with added materials and were painted with acrylic and spray paint.

POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS

Social Issue: Slavery in Historical Context