John Brown Book

A brief biography of the man who fought against slavery in the Kansas Territory and who led a revolt at Harper's Ferry in 1859.

Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Aunt Clara Brown and John Brown shared the same last name, although they were not related. Both had strong feelings about slavery; however, they experienced it in different ways. Aunt Clara bought her own freedom, moved to Colorado, accumulated a great deal of money, and used it to help other freed blacks after the Civil War. Late in her life, she was reunited with her daughter who had been sold as a child. Aunt Clara's story teaches children about tenacity, caring for and about others, and strength of character. Porter's beautiful illustrations done in earth tones with simple lines have a powerful, primitive style. The life of John Brown is presented with realistic, full-color artwork. Readers get a fine overview of the slavery dispute in the United States in the antebellum years as well as of the abolitionist's background, beliefs, and actions. Time lines and afterwords are appended. These biographies are well suited to beginning readers, with large print, short sentences, and illustrations on almost every page. Welcome additions to biographical and historical collections.-Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.