Libertie
by
Kaitlyn Greenidge
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Workman Publishing
Imprint
Algonquin
ISBN
9781616207014
Awards and Honors
2021 Brooklyn Public Library Literary Prize Shortlist in Fiction
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism , Discrimination: Sexism , Language: Mild Language , Violence: General , Sexual Content: Strong Sexual Content/Themes
The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award–winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman returns with an unforgettable story about the meaning of freedom.
Coming of age as a free-born Black girl in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson was all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, had a vision for their future together: Libertie would go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark. When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises she will be his equal on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it—for herself and for generations to come.
Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge’s new novel resonates in our times and is perfect for readers of Brit Bennett, Min Jin Lee, and Yaa Gyasi.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism , Discrimination: Sexism , Language: Mild Language , Violence: General , Sexual Content: Strong Sexual Content/Themes
Details
Format
Page Count
336
Trim Size
9" x 6"
Dewey
F
AR
0: points 0
Genre
Fiction
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Jun 2021
Book Genres
Historical Fiction
Topics
The American Civil War (1861–1865). Reconstruction. African American and black women. Brooklyn. Haiti. History of medicine.
Standard MARC Records
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Cover Art
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Praise & Reviews
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-The question of freedom in all its varied senses weave throughout this stunning historical novel. Libertie, a dark-skinned girl, was born free in post-Civil War Brooklyn. Her light-skinned mother (based on a real-life figure) worked to help with the Underground Railroad and as a doctor, a practice she expects Libertie to take over. But after spending time at an all-Black girls school, Libertie finds herself drawn away from science and towards music. Searching for a freedom to call her own, Libertie agrees to marry a Haitian man who claims that in Haiti, she will be treated as his equal. However, she is startled to discover that even there, she is expected to be subordinate. She struggles with this new life for herself, questioning her decision to give up the potential for a more independent life alongside her mother in Brooklyn. Woven through Libertie's coming of age is her growing understanding of colorism, classism, racism, and patriarchy as she struggles to define what being free means for a Black woman. This engaging novel immerses readers in a world rich with historical detail that brings to life lesser-known aspects of post-Civil War American history, such as Black women in medicine and the relationship between Haiti and the United States. VERDICT This will appeal to teenage fans of adult authors like Toni Morrison, Brit Bennett, and Yaa Gyasi.-Ann Foster, Saskatoon P.L., Sask.
The Horn Book
If coming of age isn't hard enough for a young woman in 1860s Brooklyn, being the daughter of the only Black woman doctor in the region (possibly the country) ratchets up the pressure for Libertie Sampson. Libertie has always known that her mother would like her to follow in her footsteps and become a doctor so that they can practice together. But Libertie, who is darker-skinned than her mother and thus suffers more insults and prejudice, strains against her mother's expectations. When she goes away to college in Ohio, she finds herself drawn more to music and poetry than medicine. Then she meets Emmanuel Chase, a Haitian man who makes promises of the life they could lead in his home country, and Libertie makes a decision that will have far-reaching consequences. VERDICT Greenidge's second novel (after We Love You, Charlie Freeman) is a richly detailed and well-researched work of historical fiction. Centering her narrative on the lives of Black women, she explores issues of racism, colorism and misogyny in lyrical and lovely prose.-Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI
Grades 11 & Up
Adult Crossover High Plus
For Grades 11 & Up
For the more advanced high school reader who is ready for adult reading, our ACH Category is a great choice. With more sophisticated and challenging themes, the 12 books in ACH open up new worlds for teen readers.
Take note: These selections often contain mature situations and language that could be considered controversial.
14 books per Year
$309.26 per Year
Interests
Fiction,Mature Readers,Novels,Realistic Fiction
Grades 11 & Up
Adult Crossover High Plus
14 books per Year
$309.26 per Year
