Crispus Attucks: Black Leader of Colonial Patriots Book

This 192 page book in large print is written to present a fuller story on Crispus Attucks for a upper elementary school child or as a family read. If you are not familiar with the Childhood of Famous Americans series, you should keep your eye out for these. Many are out of print, but they are worth using to give your children and yourself a clearer idea of the featured person and life in that time period. The series strives to make these individuals relative to a young reader without dumbing down the person's life.

Crispus is introduced as a young boy about to get baptized not because he is inquiring into his faith, but because his owner is insisting. This seems to be the point at which Crispus learns that he and his family are "owned" and slaves. He struggles with the idea as he has lived a very comfortable life with little turmoil as his father and mother are trusted servants. Crispus has always had a dream of what he wants to do when he grows up, to be a free man working on a boat . When the time comes for Crispus to be apprenticed, he is not consulted and does not wish to drive the carriage, which is the job assigned. He does not do well with the assignment as his heart is not in it and he plans to run away.

The story is well told and full of adventure. A great addition to Early American history as Crispus' life ends as he stands for freedom at what becomes known as the Boston Massacre. The incident is a short view of the incident, not with gory detail.

Very good background on the different status of slaves versus indentured servants and the different levels of privilege within the slave community at the plantation. One I think a young person can easily relate.