A Picture of Freedom facts for kids
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| Author | Patricia McKissack |
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| Language | English |
| Series | Dear America |
| Genre | Young adult |
| Publisher | Scholastic |
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Publication date
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March 1997 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 202 |
| ISBN | 978-0-590-25988-0 |
| Preceded by | When Will This Cruel War Be Over? |
| Followed by | Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie |
A Picture of Freedom is a historical novel for young people. It was written by Patricia C. McKissack and published by Scholastic in 1997. The book is part of the popular Dear America series.
Contents
Story of Clotee's Diary
The book tells its story through the diary entries of Clotee. She is a young slave girl living on a plantation in Virginia in 1859.
Learning to Read and Write
Clotee has a big secret: she is teaching herself to read and write. She does this quietly while fanning William, her owner's son, during his lessons. William's mother, Miz Lilly, teaches him.
A Secret Helper
One day, Mr. Harms, the family tutor, discovers Clotee's secret. But instead of telling on her, he helps her! Mr. Harms is actually an abolitionist. This means he believes slavery should end. He secretly helps slaves escape using the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses and routes. It helped enslaved people travel to freedom.
A Big Decision
Clotee soon gets a chance to escape to freedom herself. But she faces a very hard choice. Should she run away to be free? Or should she stay behind to help other enslaved people escape?
Friends and Family
Clotee's best friend on the plantation is a strong girl named Spicy. Spicy really wants to be called Rose, the name her mother chose for her. But her owners force her to use the name Spicy. Clotee later writes "Rose" in Spicy's Bible. This Bible is the only special item Spicy has from her mother. Spicy is also in love with Hince, whom Clotee calls her "brother-friend."
Clotee's mother was once a personal maid to Mistress Lilly. However, Clotee's mother was later taken away from the plantation. She died far from her daughter. Clotee's father is not in the story. He drowned in a river before Clotee was born.
Clotee Becomes a Leader
Mr. Harms eventually has to leave the Henley Plantation. Clotee bravely takes his place. She becomes a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. This means she helps guide other enslaved people to freedom. Clotee even comes up with a clever plan to keep Mr. Harms safe from being caught.
Life After Freedom
Clotee eventually runs away and finds her own freedom. We learn that she becomes a teacher. She also stays in touch with William Henley, the son of her former owner. William also grows up to become an abolitionist. Clotee lives to be 92 years old. The book ends with a powerful quote from her gravestone: "Freedom is more than a word."
Television Show
In 1997, A Picture of Freedom was made into a television episode. It was part of the Dear America miniseries by HBO. The episode starred Shadia Simmons as Clotee.
