Away West facts for kids
First edition
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| Authors | Patricia McKissack |
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| Illustrator | Gordon James |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Children's literature, American history, |
| Published | 2006 (Viking Press) |
| Media type | Print (hardback, paperback) |
| Pages | 121 |
| ISBN | 9780670060122 |
| OCLC | 61520244 |
Scraps of Time: 1879, Away West is a book written in 2006 by Patricia McKissack. It tells the story of a young farm boy named Everett Turner. He decides to leave his home and join a group of African Americans called the Exodusters. They are traveling west to find a new life in a town called Nicodemus, Kansas.
Contents
Exploring "Scraps of Time: 1879, Away West"
This book takes readers on an exciting journey with Everett Turner. He is a farm boy who makes a brave choice. He runs away from home to join the Exodusters. This group of people was moving west to build new lives. The story follows Everett as he travels with them. They are all hoping to find freedom and a better future. Their destination is a real town called Nicodemus, Kansas.
Who is Patricia McKissack?
Patricia McKissack (1944–2017) was a very famous American author. She wrote many books for children and young adults. Her stories often focused on African American history and culture. She wanted to share important stories from the past. McKissack won many awards for her writing. These include the Coretta Scott King Award and the Newbery Honor. She was known for making history interesting and easy to understand. She helped young readers learn about important events and people.
What were the Exodusters?
The Exodusters were a large group of African Americans. They moved from the southern United States to Kansas. This happened after the American Civil War and the end of slavery in the late 1870s. They were looking for a new start. Life in the South was still very hard for them. They faced unfair treatment and violence. So, they decided to leave and find a place where they could be truly free. They hoped to own land and build their own communities. The name "Exodusters" comes from the biblical story of the Exodus. This was when the Israelites left Egypt to find freedom.
What was Nicodemus, Kansas?
Nicodemus, Kansas is a real town. It was one of the first settlements in the American West. It was founded by African Americans after the Civil War. Many Exodusters traveled there to build new lives. They wanted to create a place where they could live freely. They built homes, schools, and churches. Nicodemus became a symbol of hope and self-reliance. It showed that African Americans could create their own successful communities. Today, Nicodemus is a National Historic Site. It helps us remember the courage of these pioneers.
Why is this book important?
Scraps of Time: 1879, Away West is important for several reasons. It teaches young readers about a key part of American history. It shows the challenges and hopes of the Exodusters. The book also explores themes like courage, family, and new beginnings. It helps us understand what it was like to live in America in 1879. It reminds us of the strength people had to find freedom and build a better future.
See Also
