Crossing Ebenezer Creek
By Kyle Jackson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heartbreaking tale of newly freed folk on Sherman's March.
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What's the Story?
CROSSING EBENEZER CREEK is a YA novel from award-winning author Tonya Bolden set during the closing months of the U.S. Civil War. The story follows Mariah, a young enslaved woman, and the people she grew up with in bondage, who join the legions of liberated African Americans trailing General Sherman's "March to the Sea." While the Union Army rampages across Georgia, the formerly enclaved marching and camping alongside them dream of new lives in freedom, begin to plan for the future, and attempt to heal their wounds, both physical and psychological. Mariah starts to fall in love with a man she meets, Caleb, who was born free but still oppressed due to his skin color. As the grueling trek continues, the constructed communities salvaged from the wreckage of chattel slavery endure and strengthen, the people united by their shared traumas and steadfast faith and courage. But on the last leg of the journey, on the verge of true emancipation, the hopeful exodus is betrayed by the insidious racism that has infested even Union ranks, and the resulting tragedy is almost beyond belief -- though, sadly, the fictionalized plot is based on true events.
Is It Any Good?
Beautifully written and poetically rendered, this historical novel is equal parts uplifting and depressing. Bolden's depiction of the Civil War South in Crossing Ebenezer Creek, with its period-specific language and historical insights, provides an excellent overview of the diverse range of experiences of both enslaved and free and people of color. This includes some inspirational stories about some of the lucky few Black Southerners who were able to establish a bit of success and eke out a middle class life by the mid-19th century, though sadly these examples were the exception and not the rule. The war affected all Americans, and the epic and terrifying story of Sherman's March serves as a painful reminder of the complicated outcomes and implications of the conflict, as well as the shocking carnage endured by those who lived through it.
The dynamic characters Bolden crafts draw from historical archives and archetypes and mostly ring true. Importantly, this includes several with physical and mental disabilities that serve as examples of the damage inflicted upon enslaved people. One is Dulcina, a woman who frequently wanders off and is unable to verbally express herself, who had a psychotic break after her family was sold away to Texas. Another is Mariah's little brother, Zeke, who was born prematurely after her mother was flogged to death by a ruthless overseer at the behest of their maniacal enslaver. Zeke has difficulty pronouncing his big sister's name, even though he's nearly 10 years old. Many of the other formerly enslaved on the sojourn also bear the scars of bondage, each with its own horrifying accompanying story. These are difficult things for audiences of any age to read about, but it's important history to learn.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the educational value of historical fiction like Crossing Ebenezer Creek. How can exploring the past through dramatic storytelling contribute to our understanding of how people in the past lived and experienced events in their time?
How does learning about the U.S. Civil War and the history of U.S. slavery help us understand the country we live in today? What do you think are the enduring legacies?
Often, in movies and books about the U.S. Civil War, the focus is on the political and military events that led to the outbreak and conclusion of the conflict. Why is it important to also include the perspectives of the people who were enslaved, on whose behalf the war was supposedly being waged?
What do you consider the book's ultimate message/take away? What is the value in reading stories of tragedy and heartbreak?
Book Details
- Author: Tonya Bolden
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Topics: Friendship, History
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
- Publication date: May 30, 2017
- Number of pages: 240
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: May 23, 2017
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