Lee & Low Books: Author Glenda Armand imagines Frederick Douglass as a young boy in 1820s Maryland, trying to understand why he can t live with his mother, who is a slave on another plantation. During a brief, nighttime visit, Mama answers Frederick s questions by describing what each mile of her journey is for remembering, listening, praying, singing, and finally, love. Her strength to travel the distance between them is a poetic testament to the human spirit, showing Frederick that although the road through life is full of hardships, hope, joy, and dreams can grow along the way. Mama s faith and love set Frederick on a path to future greatness as a man with a determined and resilient spirit who escaped from slavery to become a noted intellectual, a highly respected human rights activist, an eloquent writer and speaker, and an unforgettable leader. This warm and tender exchange between young Frederick and his mother will appeal to children of all backgrounds who cherish such bedtime rituals.
I was enraptured by this historical fiction. It broke many picture book rules but it worked. I think that this book should be paired with Henry's Freedom Box which addresses slaves being ripped from their parents where as Love Twelve Miles Long addresses one family's journey to stay close.
Nugget- The journey that a mother will take to see your child taken to another master's home.
Need Enticement- Starts by letting you know that tonight was special and leaves the reader wanting to know why.
Escalation- Starts with the prep for the walk, followed by a huge middle which is the 12 mile journey and concludes with having to walk back home.
Satisfying Ending- Many things aren't measurable except his mothers love.
Sources- Since it is historical fiction the author did not include any resources.
Show Words- Each mile had a powerful word to correlate.
Why- I think the story is powerful for the fact that although there are stories about the normal procedure of slave families being split this story shows that it didn't divide their love. As any mother would, we go through great lengths for our children.
Need & Want- A family that wants to be together but faces the fact that they won't be so they need to create a way that they can visit.
* Even though this is a slave story there is something that will resonate with of us in our hearts. I will never forget when I was seven years old and my Grandmother lived a mere three miles away. She was absolutely the love of my life. I called her crying because I wanted to see her, I told her that my heart needed her. I had never seen my Grandmother drive so when she showed up at my house, I was shocked. But discovered that she had walked to my house. I will never forget it.
I was enraptured by this historical fiction. It broke many picture book rules but it worked. I think that this book should be paired with Henry's Freedom Box which addresses slaves being ripped from their parents where as Love Twelve Miles Long addresses one family's journey to stay close.
Nugget- The journey that a mother will take to see your child taken to another master's home.
Need Enticement- Starts by letting you know that tonight was special and leaves the reader wanting to know why.
Escalation- Starts with the prep for the walk, followed by a huge middle which is the 12 mile journey and concludes with having to walk back home.
Satisfying Ending- Many things aren't measurable except his mothers love.
Sources- Since it is historical fiction the author did not include any resources.
Show Words- Each mile had a powerful word to correlate.
Why- I think the story is powerful for the fact that although there are stories about the normal procedure of slave families being split this story shows that it didn't divide their love. As any mother would, we go through great lengths for our children.
Need & Want- A family that wants to be together but faces the fact that they won't be so they need to create a way that they can visit.
* Even though this is a slave story there is something that will resonate with of us in our hearts. I will never forget when I was seven years old and my Grandmother lived a mere three miles away. She was absolutely the love of my life. I called her crying because I wanted to see her, I told her that my heart needed her. I had never seen my Grandmother drive so when she showed up at my house, I was shocked. But discovered that she had walked to my house. I will never forget it.
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