Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Robert Smalls: The Boat Thief by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and illustrated by Patrick Faricy


Reviewed by Miss Dewey at Orenda

Five paw prints! So, who was Robert Smalls? That was my question when I first read this book. It turns out Robert Smalls was a very impressive man. Born during the time of slavery, Robert and his mother were owned by a wealthy South Carolina family. Though they were treated better than slaves owed by other families they still were not free. Robert’s mother always made sure Robert knew what it meant to be free when ever she had the chance. Since Robert was a slave he wasn’t allowed to learn how to read but Robert was very smart. Instead of reading words he “read” ships, stars, water currents, and sounds. His knowledge helped him lead his family and a few close friends to freedom at the beginning of the Civil War. But he wanted more than freedom, he wanted to be able to help the Northern States defeat the Southern States and put an end to slavery. Finally, after the war, he and his family moved back to South Carolina. He did everything he could to help make the South a better place for all citizens no matter what color they were. I LOVED this book. I had never heard of Robert Smalls before reading this book and I couldn’t read and learn about him fast enough. If you’re like me and you want to learn more about Robert Smalls visit http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1862/june/robert-smalls-planter.htm.

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