Show Way facts for kids
 |
|
| Author | Jacqueline Woodson |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Hudson Talbott |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Putnam Juvenile |
|
Publication date
|
2005 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 48 |
| ISBN | 978-0399237492 |
Show Way is a children's picture book from 2005. It was written by American author Jacqueline Woodson. Hudson Talbott created the beautiful illustrations.
This book shares the stories of seven generations of African-American women. It is based on the author's own family history. Show Way was recognized as a John Newbery Medal Honor Book in 2006.
Contents
About the Author
Jacqueline Woodson is a very famous author. She has won many awards for her books. These books are often for middle schoolers and young adults.
Some of her awards include being a finalist for the National Book Award. She also won the Coretta Scott King Award. Her book Miracle's Boys won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.
The Story of Show Way
Show Way is a story about family history. It shows how people from the past connect to us today. The author tells her daughter about their ancestors. She explains how each person had their own "Show Way."
The First "Show Way"
The story begins with Soonie's great-grandmother. She was sold into slavery when she was only seven. She used her sewing skills to create special quilts. These quilts were not just blankets. They were secret maps.
Each piece of fabric in the quilt had a hidden meaning. They showed roads, moons, and stars. These symbols helped people find their way to freedom. This was their first "Show Way."
Soonie's grandmother, Mathis May, was also sold into slavery. She sewed clothes for everyone. At night, she added stars, moons, and roads to quilts. These patterns showed the way to the North Star. This was her own "Show Way" to freedom.
Mathis May married another enslaved person. He died before their baby girl was born. But this baby was born free in 1863.
A New Kind of Freedom
Years later, Soonie was born. Soonie and her mother lived on free land. They picked cotton and farmed their own small piece of ground. They worked very hard from morning until night. But they were free, and they found joy in their lives.
Soonie also made quilts. She sewed fields, rivers, and trees into her patches. She called her creations "Trail to the North" and "Show Way." People no longer needed secret trails to escape. Instead, Soonie sold her quilts at the market. The money they earned helped her family live well. This was her "Show Way."
Soonie married Walter Scott. He owned land in Anderson, South Carolina. They had a daughter named Georgiana.
Making a Difference
Georgiana loved to read. People said she always had a book in her hand. She grew up to become a teacher. She taught at a small school in Anderson.
Georgiana had two daughters, Caroline and Ann. These girls grew up during a time when laws kept black and white people separate. They bravely marched to change these unfair laws. Sometimes they felt scared. But they found courage by remembering their grandmother Soonie's "Show Way" patches. Soonie had sewn these patches inside their dresses.
Ann became a poet. She often turned her poems into songs. Caroline stitched these songs into beautiful art. People bought this art to hang in their homes.
Jacqueline's Own Show Way
Ann had a daughter, Jacqueline Woodson, the author of this book. Jacqueline grew up loving to read and write. When she couldn't write, she would sew stars, moons, and roads. Her mother told her that everything that happened before she was born was her own kind of "Show Way."
Jacqueline's writing became books. In these books, she tells stories of many people's "Show Ways." She loves sharing these stories with her own daughter.
Meet the Characters
Here are the main characters in Show Way:
Soonie's Great-Grandmother
She was sold into slavery at age seven. She used her sewing skills to create secret quilt maps. These maps helped people find their way to freedom. She married Ensler and had a daughter named Mathis May.
Mathis May
Soonie's grandmother. She was also sold into slavery at age seven. At night, she sewed stars, moons, and roads into quilts. These patterns were her "Show Way" to free land. She had a daughter who was born free in 1863.
Soonie
She lived on free land with her mother. She worked hard to build a good life. Soonie married Walter Scott. They had a daughter named Georgiana. Soonie made and sold quilts called "Show Way."
Georgiana
Soonie's daughter. She loved to read and became a teacher. She taught at a small school. Georgiana had two daughters, Caroline and Ann.
Caroline and Ann
Georgiana's daughters. They bravely marched to end segregation, which were laws that separated people. Caroline stitched Ann's songs into art.
Jacqueline Woodson
Ann's daughter and the author of the book. She grew up to read and write. Her books tell stories about many people's "Show Ways."
Toshi Georgiana
Jacqueline Woodson's daughter. Jacqueline tells her the stories of their ancestors.
What Critics Said
Many people who review books had wonderful things to say about Show Way.
Barbara Z Kiefer and Dennis Price called it "an exquisite patchwork of words and images." Publishers Weekly said Show Way was "Both historical and deeply personal." Black Issues Book Review described it as "Beautifully written and a treat for the eyes."
Mary N. Oluonye from School Library Journal said it was "An outstanding tribute, perfectly executed in terms of text, design, and illustration." Kirkus Reviews felt that Show Way "Takes a difficult subject and makes it accessible to young readers. One of the most remarkable books of the year."
Awards and Recognition
- John Newbery Medal Honor Book 2006
