Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Snyder
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Passionate illustrations add to honest depiction of slavery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
AN AMERICAN STORY asks, "How do you tell a story that starts in Africa and ends in horror?" The book paints a picture of what life was like in Africa before Africans were kidnapped and enslaved. It addresses the horrors of this travesty of American history, from the terrifying Middle Passage (the transporting of kidnapped Africans on ships from Africa to the Americas) to the brutality of splitting up families. Throughout the book, it becomes apparent that students are listening to a teacher describe the horrors of slavery. They interject with questions and observations like, "Why weren't they paid? That's not fair." Together, the teacher and students realize that standing up, being brave, and approaching life with hope is the way to tell an American story, even if it hurts and is hard to hear, because the story still expresses love.
Is It Any Good?
This powerful picture book has the potential to change the way history is taught and talked about. The inclusive title An American Story tells us that this narrative is for everyone -- not just for the descendants of those who experienced the horrors of slavery. Artist Dare Coulter's dynamic mixed-media illustrations effectively accentuate the range of emotions that Alexander's words evoke. Parents and educators who don't know how to have these difficult conversations now have a starting point for helping children see history for what it was so that the same mistakes aren't repeated in the future. Adults will likely see that their children, like the ones in the book, are able to digest it, empathize, and begin to work towards a better world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about courage in An American Story. In what ways did Black people show courage throughout the experience of slavery? How do the students in the book show courage? How can we be courageous when talking about history?
How would you describe the illustrations in the book? How do the pictures match the strong words in the book like "struggle," "painful," "strength," and "pride"?
Why is it hard to talk about some parts of history? Why is it important to tell the truth about what happened in the past?
Book Details
- Author: Kwame Alexander
- Illustrator: Dare Coulter
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Activism , History
- Character Strengths: Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: January 3, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 56
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Award: Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors
- Last updated: January 22, 2024
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