Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day
March 29, 2021
Transfixed by a photograph of an early assembly for Decoration Day—now observed as Memorial Day—Henderson (Together We March) was led to records of a similar ceremony held in Charleston, S.C., in April 1865. She imagines the event through the story of Eli, the 10-year-old son of a formerly enslaved man, newly freed. After Confederate surrender and subsequent emancipation, Eli’s father works on a project at the racecourse, which once housed Union prisoners, many of whom died of exposure, disease, and starvation. But school comes first for Eli, according to his mother (“Masters locked away learning ’cause knowledge is its own freedom”). At last, the project is revealed: a cemetery “for the soldiers who lost their lives for our freedom.” Oil erasure images by Coretta Scott King Award winner Cooper (Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History) portray Eli, his family, and their town in images whose power and presence invites lingering views. Henderson commemorates the way Eli’s Black community remembers a painful piece of history—while honoring the people who experienced it. Back matter includes an author’s note, information on the roots of Decoration Day, a timeline, and references. Ages 6–9. (May)■
April 15, 2021
Grades K-3 The origins of Memorial Day have roots in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Henderson's historical picture book convincingly posits that the first such holiday was held on May 1, 1865, at the Washington Race Course in Charleston, South Carolina, where Union soldiers were buried when the racetrack operated as a Confederate prison camp. Remembering the soldiers and fixing up the grave sites went hand in hand, and this effort was led by formerly enslaved people, including schoolchildren, as well as abolitionists. The moving story, as seen through the eyes of a newly freed boy watching his father and others work hard in anticipation of memorial festivities, is enhanced beautifully by Cooper's illustrations, which convey determination as the men and boy work hard. On Memorial Day itself, faces full of pride are shown singing, praying, and celebrating in honor of those who lost their lives. The palette of sun gold, sky blue, dusty browns, and greens gives the pages a rooted, old-fashioned feel. A perfect book for enhancing collections celebrating national holidays and for adding to those honoring emancipation.
COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
May 28, 2021
Gr 2-5-Henderson's latest tells the story of the first Memorial Day celebration from the perspective of a young African American boy whose family has recently been freed following the Civil War. The boy longs to go with his father to help him refurbish a racecourse that was made into a prison for Union soldiers during the war. Finally, he is allowed to assist in painting the fence while the adults establish a graveyard for the fallen soldiers. Once the memorial is complete, the entire African American community in Charleston marches from their homes to the cemetery in a parade. Though the event is sad, it is also a celebration of the end of slavery. Cooper's mixed-media illustrations beautifully depict the community's emotions and their actions in creating a memorial. Soft colors gently envelop readers in the story. Back matter includes an author's note, the roots of Decoration Day, a time line of the Civil War and Memorial Day, and a bibliography. VERDICT An enchanting account of the first Memorial Day, this book is recommended for all collections.-Sara Thomas, New Castle P.L., DE
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2021
Through the eyes of a formerly enslaved ten-year-old boy, Henderson recounts the story of what some consider to be the first celebration of Decoration Day, currently observed as Memorial Day. In 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina, Papa has been rising early to do "man's work." Eli, who would rather be with Papa than go to school, can only imagine what kind of important work Papa and the other men are doing. When pressed, all Papa says is, "We were diggin', and buildin', and paintin'." At last, Eli discovers that Papa and the men are converting a racecourse, once used as a Confederate jail, into a monument to the Union soldiers who had fought for freedom of the enslaved and died while imprisoned. Eli and his schoolmates help by painting a fence. The next day, a mile-long parade of neighbors, singing tributes to the unknown Union soldiers, marches to the site and spreads flowers among their graves. Henderson's affecting narrative resonates with reverence, and Cooper's prolific use of muted browns and yellows creates a solemn yet celebratory tone. An image of the family backed by an enormous setting sun conveys freedom and hope as Eli declares, "Me, Mama, and Papa can't never be sold away no more...we will never forget what [the Union soldiers have] given of themselves for the priceless gift of our liberty." This worthy title offers another little-known fact about African American contributions that are an imperative part of America's history and traditions. Back matter includes an author's note, a timeline, source notes (acknowledging the contested history of the holiday), and a bibliography. Pauletta Brown Bracy
(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
Starred review from April 15, 2021
A community of former slaves honors the fallen heroes who made them free. It's 1865, and White people are "mad 'cause we aren't enslaved no more" (a fantastic burn!). Eli wants to follow his father to his work, but his parents are adamant that he take advantage of the education he is now entitled to and go to school. But finally, one day is so special that he gets to follow his father to work. The adult men are digging and building at the old Charleston racecourse, used as a prison for Union soldiers during the war, while Eli and the other children paint a picket fence. Finally, there's a parade that culminates in sermons, songs, and laying flowers at the graves of Union soldiers buried at the former track, both Black and White. It's Decoration Day, which will later become today's Memorial Day. Cooper's illustrations are soft and gentle, his muted color palette with many yellows, browns, and tans working well to convey the dusty workplace and the toil it takes to build a memorial site. His customary technique lends a gauzy haze to the proceedings. Henderson's choice to show the development of this day of remembrance from the perspective of a child involved in the literal work required to build it gives the story weight and meaning. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 68% of actual size.) A treasure. (author's note, timeline, notes) (Picture book. 6-10)
COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
July 1, 2021
Through the eyes of a formerly enslaved ten-year-old boy, Henderson recounts the story of what some consider to be the first celebration of Decoration Day, currently observed as Memorial Day. In 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina, Papa has been rising early to do "man's work." Eli, who would rather be with Papa than go to school, can only imagine what kind of important work Papa and the other men are doing. When pressed, all Papa says is, "We were diggin', and buildin', and paintin'." At last, Eli discovers that Papa and the men are converting a racecourse, once used as a Confederate jail, into a monument to the Union soldiers who had fought for freedom of the enslaved and died while imprisoned. Eli and his schoolmates help by painting a fence. The next day, a mile-long parade of neighbors, singing tributes to the unknown Union soldiers, marches to the site and spreads flowers among their graves. Henderson's affecting narrative resonates with reverence, and Cooper's prolific use of muted browns and yellows creates a solemn yet celebratory tone. An image of the family backed by an enormous setting sun conveys freedom and hope as Eli declares, "Me, Mama, and Papa can't never be sold away no more...we will never forget what �the Union soldiers have] given of themselves for the priceless gift of our liberty." This worthy title offers another little-known fact about African American contributions that are an imperative part of America's history and traditions. Back matter includes an author's note, a timeline, source notes (acknowledging the contested history of the holiday), and a bibliography.
(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)