Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret (Carolrhoda Picture Books)

Freddi Williams Evans; Erin Bennett Banks [Illustrator]

ISBN 10: 0822579650 / ISBN 13: 9780822579656

Published by Carolrhoda Books, 2008

About this Item

In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Seller Inventory # Q-0822579650

Bibliographic Details

Title: Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret (Carolrhoda ...

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Publication Date: 2008

Binding: Library Binding

Illustrator: Erin Bennett Banks

Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis:

In the early nineteenth century, enslaved Africans are not allowed to gather together in groups. For Simmy and his family, that means they must worship in secret. If they are caught, the punishment will be terrible. Simmy's job is to watch for danger while the others pray and sing as the Spirit moves them. Will he be able to keep the hush harbor safe?

From Booklist:

“Meetin’ tonight,” Uncle Sol whispers to his fellow slaves in the cotton fields. It’s going to be down in the hush harbor, where slaves sneak away to pray and praise the Lord. Evans takes a little-discussed topic—the faith practices of eighteenth-century slaves—and turns it into a moving narrative, if not quite a story. Young Simmy is given the job of lookout as the slaves gather to pray for Mama Aku, who is ill. As the worshippers sing and pray, Simmy spots a rustling in the bushes—it’s a runaway slave, who warns them about the dogs and guns of nearby slave catchers. Simmy’s quick actions allow the slaves to get home, where they learn that Mama Aku has died. Still, they’ll continue to pray, sing, and shout in the hush harbor. Illustrated with extremely stylized pictures that don’t prettify their subjects, this captures some of the fear and horror associated with slavery. However, it’s the detailed author’s note that will really give kids insight into the subject. A good choice for both religion and history shelves. Grades K-3. --Ilene Cooper