Bound for America: The Forced Migration of Africans to the New World

 Review

Common Sense Media says

This book gives slavery a human face.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there are graphic paintings of suffering men, women, and children.

  • Some graphic paintings of suffering men, women, and children.
  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

Imagine enduring the Middle Passage from Africa to America--a nightmarish journey, with victims packed in areas little more than coffin high. This picture book-size volume takes readers through the outrages of slavery by combining narrative with vivid illustrations. It gives slavery a human face, often using the words of slaves and contemporary observers to describe the suffering.

 


Is it any good?

 

BOUND FOR AMERICA uses its title as an unhappy pun, as the book exposes the difference between immigration by choice and dehumanizing coercion. Second in a projected seven-part series called From African Beginnings, this well-researched history focuses on the escalation of slavery in the New World and its dire effects on both American and African cultures. It is carefully organized in concise chapters that keep the story clear even when the historical context is very meaty.

Careful integration of text and illustrations enhances the impact. Eight handsome paintings by Floyd Cooper hold the book together so that the narrative remains in the context of his soft but graphic paintings of suffering men, women, and children. The book tells slavery's dirty secrets, often quoting slaves and contemporary observers. It clarifies not only the personal sufferings of individuals but also slavery's disastrous effects on African culture.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about the legacy of slavery. What most surprised you in this book? Is the legacy of slavery still evident today? How so?


This review was written by Katherine Kearns

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.


This review was written by Katherine Kearns
Author:Jim Haskins
Illustrator:Floyd Cooper
Book type:Non-Fiction
Genre:History
Publisher:William Morrow
Publication date:January 1, 1999
Number of pages:48
Hardcover price:$17.95
Publisher's recommended age(s):9 - 12

This review was written by Katherine Kearns
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!


About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

 

vote now

Will you read Bound for America: The Forced Migration of Africans to the New World?


Already read it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it