Freedom School, Yes! Book

Freedom School Yes! Is inspired by the real teachers of Freedom School. The author uses the teacher's experiences and other research to write this fictional story. Jolie is terrified when a brick is thrown through her house window with a note attached that warns the new teacher of Freedom school to leave town. Jolie's mother offered to house the new white schoolteacher, Annie. Jolie's fears are magnified when the school is set on fire and is burned to the ground. To her surprise, the community does not let that stop them from having school. While the adults were busy rebuilding the school, classes where held under the tree. But one night when Annie doesn't return home Jolie realizes how important school and learning are to her. She learns "she was never going to let bein' scared get in her way again."

The story begins with a dramatic image of a brick shattering a window and immediately I was hooked. A great book to use in the classroom to share with students a small part of what many African Americans had to endure to go to school; something our students don't likely think about. It lends itself to teaching students about not taking their education for granted and fighting for what one believes in even if they are scared.