* * My Name Is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom
Author: Afua Cooper
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 155337813X
ISBN-13: 978-1553378136

Book description: Often shocking, always compelling, Afua Cooper’s novel is based on the life of Henry Bibb, an American slave who after repeated attempts escaped in 1841 to become an anti-slavery speaker, author and founder of a Black newspaper. Cooper takes painstakingly researched details about slavery and weaves an intimate story of Bibb’s young life, which is overshadowed by inconceivable brutality. At nine years old, Henry is separated from his mother and brothers and hired out, suffering abuse at the hands of cruel masters so severe he almost dies. Henry’s courageous life is described in intimate detail and young readers will learn about everyday slave life on a plantation and in towns and cities, the coded language of slave escapes and the dangerous routes over land and water to safe houses. As Henry Bibb moves from boyhood to manhood, he knows that one day he will “fly away” as in the old legend of the Africans who flew away to freedom. The first-person narrative, convincingly told in Henry’s voice, traces Bibb’s boyhood, marriage, fatherhood and the developing awareness of his bondage and his determination to break free of it or die.

Book review: This is a sad but compelling story with a somewhat happy ending. I found it to be very inspiring and I loved that it’s all based on true accounts. I recommend this to people interested in American history, slavery and anything historical. I tend to be a huge fan of fantasy and science fiction, but this novel really drew me in and I enjoyed it. ~ R.C., 15 yrs old.