Customer Reviews
well, actually... - By: Dylan Guthrie, 27 Jul 2006 
I'd just like to add that one of the main reasons for the air of authenticity that this book carries, is that it's a true story, compiled from interviews given by the real-life Clotee when she was an old, free, woman. This is not a work of fiction, & the dignity , courage & humility of Clotee shines through with every page.
Inspiring stuff.
Well written and informative - By: MaryAnne, 27 Mar 2006 Taking the form of a diary & spanning just over a year, this book follows the life of a young slave girl workingin the "Big House" on a farmin Virginiain 1859.
Life is hard for Clotee: Although only 12yrs old, she works from dawn til dusk, at the constant call of her mistress.
She learns to read while fanning her mistress's son, also 12yrs, during his lessons. Slaves are not permitted any education & she has to keep her learning secret for fear of severe punishment.
However, the wind of change is blowing & 200yrs of slavery is nearing its end. Clotee gets involved with the abolitionists, helping others to reach freedomin Canada.
As an adult reader, I find some young adult books a bit patronising, this, however was well written & very interesting.
Diary of a fictional young slave girl. - By: Rebecca Herman, 31 Jul 2005 This book was originally published as "A Picture of Freedom," & was part of the Dear America series, fictional diaries of young girls during American history. This book tells the story of a young slave girl who longs for freedom just before the Civil War.
The year is 1859. Clotee has lived all twelve years of her life as a slave on the Belmont Plantationin Virginia. Although she has known no life other than that of a slave, she has secretly learned how to read & write, & that ability gives her a glimpse of the world out there. To practice, she keeps a secret diary that she hidesin a hollowed-out tree. An orphan most of her life, Clotee has managed to make the best of her circumstances, & writing is one of the few things that brings her any joy. When a tutor comes to the plantation to teach the master's young son, Clotee figures that he'll just be another prejudiced southerner. But he's an abolitionist that further expands Clotee's horizons, & he may be able to give her the one thing she longs for: freedom.
This was a wonderful book that brought to life the world of a young slave girlin the pre Civil War south. Clotee came alive & seemed like a real person with real hopes & dreams. I highly recommend this book to young readers with an interestin American history.
