All Different Now: Juneteenth, The First Day Of Freedom (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
As usual, E. B. Lewis's illustrations are breathtaking. He tells about their creation in an Illustrator's Note at the back of the book. The first 24 pages tell the story of Juneteenth - June 19th - the emancipation of slavery - with simple verse and these incredible paintings. The last five pages are more information - resources, reminisces, timeline, history, glossary. Wow. A huge piece of US history, simply and beautifully told and referenced. There is something extra special about a book like this that is based on family experiences. As the author explains in an author's note at the end that this story was inspired by a photograph that of her great-grandparents that she saw as a child. When the Civil War is studied, most often the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation is considered the moment when slaves were freed. But many slaves didn't ever hear about that, they were too far away. This is the story of a group of slaves that doesn't hear about their freedom until the 13th amendment had been passed through the efforts of an union general. One can only imagine the way they must have felt and that is exactly what Johnson does here. And I think she does a great job as does Lewis. I found Lewis's note about creating the illustrations fascinating. To go to so much work in creating time period appropriate photographs before he does the pictures. The celebration is neat to read about, but still all the uncertainty created is shown in the last picture with the people leaving in wagons going who knows where to do who knows what. A book full of celebrations and hope in the power of freedom, a legacy that hopefully we today can continue.
What do You think about All Different Now: Juneteenth, The First Day Of Freedom (2014)?
gorgeous watercolor pictures. short enough for a storytime.
—Jack
Middle-upper elementary; Good conversation starter
—sanya
