September 22, 2009

The Listeners

Written by Dawn

On this day in 1862, the Emancipation Proclamation was first issued, paving the way for the eventual abolition of slavery in America. Topics like slavery may be difficult for some of us to discuss with our own children today, wondering how to convey such a despicable chapter of our country's history. Gloria Whelan's new book, The Listeners provides an amazing opening for this very conversation.

This picture book for older children left me breathless upon my first read-through. I've read it several times since, trying to fully take in the breadth of emotions conveyed through the words and illustrations. Told in the voice of an enslaved child who is old enough to work in the cotton fields with the adults, there is a straightforwardness to the telling of the story, describing the special role that some children played as 'listeners.' Small enough to eavesdrop under windowsills unnoticed, the children report what they've heard back to their families in the slaves' quarters– things that are immeasurably important to their lives. When they overhear the master raging about the election of Abraham Lincoln and his call to end slavery, the children get to be the ones to make the announcement to their mammies and daddies, sharing in the hopeful elation of a new day ahead. The last page of the book, depicting a long road to walk, emanates beauty and hope for the future.

Children are given a beginning understanding of what was expected from the slaves, with an emphasis on the work and meager living conditions, but the spirit of the community rises above, depicting the tenacity people could exhibit when facing an enslaved life. The characters wear their emotions in their expressions with Mike Benny's realistic and hauntingly beautiful illustrations, truly showing how a story can be more deeply told when the pictures match perfectly. Gloria Whelan and Mike Benny give a voice to the slave experience, and it's the wondrous, beautiful and awe-inspiring one of a child in The Listeners.

As a special giveaway, we have 5 copies of The Listeners for our readers: two copies will be given to randomly chosen commenters, and three will be reserved for commenters who are school or public library employees (teachers, administrators, reading specialists, librarians, etc).

Please indicate in your comment if you work professionally in any of these capacities to be considered for that portion of the drawing! (US and Canada only, please). We will announce the winners on September 30.

Dawn lives for reading and her family, two frequent topics of discussion on her blog, my thoughts exactly.

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Filed under Dawn, ages 6 - 9, ages 9 - 12 by Dawn

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78 Comments

Comments on The Listeners

September 22, 2009

Amy @ Hope Is the Word @ 8:58 am

I used to be a public school history teacher and then, librarian. Now I teach my own children at home and teach part-time at a community college. At any rate, I'd LOVE to win a copy of this!!

Linda @ 9:15 am

Since reading "Roots" this topic has been of high interest to me. I totally abhor slavery. How anyone allowed it in the first place is beyond me. I would have been one of those that would have freed any slaves that I inherited.

Deanna/ibeeeg @ 10:18 am

This sounds like a fabulous book to have in the house for my children.
I would love to win a copy.

Abi @ 10:34 am

Enter me please. Just like one for my house. Thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Michelle @ 10:40 am

I would love love love a copy.

Thanks for doing this giveaway!

Mozi Esmes Mommy @ 11:38 am

I'd love to get a copy of this book!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Winning Readings @ 12:08 pm

Just a note that we've posted about this at Winning Readings:

http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/09/listeners.html

LaVonne @ 12:08 pm

Wow! Sounds like a great children's and adult book! Thanks for the chance to win.

Tina @ 12:14 pm

Wow. The cover on this is instantly haunting.

Pam @ 2:13 pm

I would love to win this book to read to Granddaughters and daycare (o:

Narita @ 3:18 pm

I am a pastor's wife and grandmother. I have a collection of books to read not only to my grandchildren but to use in our church and when I help at the children's school. I love history and would very much like to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity!

Angie @ 3:21 pm

I'd love to win this to share it with my interracial son!

Neas Nuttiness @ 3:40 pm

I'd love a chance at winning. I'd read this to my grandchildren. Thanks so much!

Sherry @ 3:45 pm

Sounds like a great book!
(no school affiliation)

slcremer at gmail dot com

Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family @ 4:29 pm

Don't enter me . I reviewed this title today as well, and it's absolutely beautiful – I highly recommend it. Brought me to tears.

PaisleyPam @ 5:30 pm

I'm not a professional, but I'd love this book for my kids. Thanks!

Krista @ 6:52 pm

I am a teacher by profession, but currently a stay at home mom-teacher! I hope to go back to the classroom when my child is old enough to be in school as well.

Kim @ 7:55 pm

I would love to have this for my school library collection. The book sounds amazing and would be a great way to introduce the topic to students. (I'm a high school librarian but we have an early childhood education program including a preschool in our building.)

Lisa in ME @ 9:31 pm

This sounds amazing. I'd love to win a copy for my family.

Carolyn @ 9:48 pm

I would love to win this for my school. I am a literacy specialist at an elementary school and this would be an excellent addition to our collection.

corinne @ 10:04 pm

This looks wonderful. Thanks!

Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) @ 10:32 pm

I'd love to read this I lived in Louisiana when there were still children in the cotton fields. *Thanks* for the giveaway!

September 23, 2009

Angel B @ 8:22 am

This book sounds amazing. I am a fourth grade public school teacher and I know this book will be perfect for my kids!

September 24, 2009

edj @ 4:21 am

Even though my kids are getting older, I still think this book would be a valuable addition to our family.

Rebecca Reid @ 2:31 pm

This sounds like quite an important book! I'd be interested in winning it. I'm a mom, aka random commenter.

September 25, 2009

Marj M. @ 2:49 pm

I am a grandmother with two 14 year old grandchildren. This is a book I would enjoy reading to them. (which is the only way the boy will know what is in it.) I know he would be interested if he will listen, Crystal just loves to read in the first place. After I read it I will see if my 8 year old grandson could comprehend. Thanks for this chance.

September 26, 2009

Julie H @ 10:29 am

I'm just a mom, but would love to win a copy. It looks like a great book.
Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Beth @ 12:29 pm

Please enter me. Thanks for the chance.

Patti J @ 2:51 pm

I teach 3rd grade and this looks like a perfect book to open up an important discussion. Thanks for offering it as a giveaway!

September 27, 2009

Lynn @ 12:18 pm

This sounds like a wonderful book. I'd love it for our home collection. Thank you.
lmw 6600 @ gmail . com

sandy @ 4:39 pm

am a sub and no doubt would donate after reading so you decide which catagory

Linda Peters @ 4:58 pm

I would love to read this, thanks

ky2here @ 5:38 pm

NOt a professional so don't give me extra entries, I'd just like to read it.

Linda White @ 5:41 pm

My daughter is a 3rd grade teacher so this would be good for her classroom!

Michael Capp @ 6:08 pm

I'd love to win!

Shannon Baas @ 6:15 pm

I don't but would like to donate it to our library.

Jacqueline Strawder @ 7:31 pm

Would love to win a copy of this book….thanks for the contest!

Benita G. @ 8:17 pm

I mentor an ESL Social Studies teacher. I would love to gift him with a copy of this book to use in his classroom and donate to his class library.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lori @ 8:34 pm

This sounds like a wonderful book to share with my children.

Paige @ 8:42 pm

I would love to win a copy of this to donate to my daughter's school library.

September 28, 2009

Karrie @ 12:07 am

sounds like a great read

Carol Lawrence @ 4:27 am

I'd love a chance at winning. I'd read this to my grandchildren. jelly15301@gmail.com

Erma @ 6:53 am

I don't work in any of these but I would love to read this.

Diane Westerbeek @ 8:48 am

Great book

Nicole D. @ 9:47 am

I don't work in a school position, but I would love the chance to win one of the other 2 copies! Thanks!

May Schultz @ 10:13 am

This book sounds great. I would love to read it.

Andria @ 11:05 am

It sounds really good. I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

Sheila Hickmon @ 2:28 pm

This sounds really good! Thanks for the chance!

Linda C. @ 3:22 pm

Looks like an interesting book.Please enter my name in the draw.

shawna @ 3:30 pm

I would love a copy of this for my daycare.

Letessha @ 5:20 pm

I would love to read this and then pass along to my kids when they grow up!

Brent Dotson @ 7:26 pm

My wife works as a group piano teacher for Weber State University.

Me, I work for the federal government

Ed Nemmers @ 7:59 pm

I do not work in those professions.

Happy Autumn!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Amanda S. @ 10:04 pm

This sounds like an amazing book! I'd love to win it for my kids!

sheri @ 11:12 pm

I would love to read this book! I do not work in any of these fields.

September 29, 2009

Ramishia Mckissick @ 2:11 am

Sounds like a really great book!

Kristi Gilleland @ 4:52 am

I'd love to win a copy! I'm a homeschool mom to my own kids, and tutor to others in our homeschool group. Thanks!

Martha J @ 6:57 am

I would love to win this for my granddaughter.

angela m @ 8:07 am

i would love to win this for my daughter..
please enter me..thanks

i do not work for any of those professions..

Beth C @ 8:53 am

Please enter me – thanks!

Jennifer Jozwiak @ 8:58 am

Unfortunately I don't work in those fields but I hope to win this for my little one!

Bridget Michelle Combs @ 9:56 am

I would love to win this for my daughter and I am also a library clerk at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

barbara wright @ 10:14 am

This sounds really good. If I won, I'd read it and then donate it to the school library – they always need more good books.

Marjorie Whitney @ 10:22 am

I'd love to win a copy of this book! My parents were both social workers and very interested in all kinds of human rights. Since they have passed, it would help my grandson see their point of view better, and our family traditions.

Jack Davis @ 11:53 am

I'd love a copy of this one.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this giveaway!

cheryl h @ 12:01 pm

I am not any of those employees but I would love to win a copy of this book to add to my library. Thanks

Sandy M @ 12:20 pm

This sounds like an excellant read. I would love to win thsi.

Susan Smith @ 12:35 pm

I don't work in any of those positions but please enter me for the other 2

dorothy l @ 12:58 pm

please enter me in the book giveaway con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

kathy pease @ 1:17 pm

Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in

michele anne @ 1:27 pm

This sure sounds like a great book. Sign me up…. I would love to win it.

Tim Hughes @ 1:41 pm

I do not work in those fields but I would be willing to donate it to a local library after I have read this great book. Never heard of this until reading your blog and now I can't wait to check it out.
titletowntreasures(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Tammy @ 2:03 pm

I'd love to win a copy of this I'm not sure where I fit in to win since we homeschool. So you decide if I fit the bill for which one. The personal copy or the educator copy.