Catherine Johnson scooped the Little Rebels Award in 2019 with this short, middle-grade chapter book about the historical horrors of slavery.

The story follows a young boy called Nat, who is enslaved on a Jamaican plantation. When Nat is brought to England in the 1700s, he hopes to finally find freedom from bondage. Instead, Nat discovers the disappointing truth that slavery is still very much alive in England – and he witnesses the heavy role that Britain plays in operating the slave trade.

Little Rebels Judge Darren Chetty comments that the story “explores the humanity of those whose humanity was denied through chattel slavery. It subtly examines the similarities and the differences between class oppression and a system of slavery rooted in racism. It tells a story of Britain that continues to be neglected.”

While the main character is fictional, the details of the story are very much rooted in historical events and features real-life people and places. We recommend this book as a go-to for upper KS2 classes learning about Britain’s role in the slave trade. Teachers are likely to find very helpful the informative historical notes at the end of the book.

Olaudah Equiano was cruelly snatched from his home in Essaka, Africa, aged only 11, in 1756. Initially taken with his older sister, Ifeoma, they soon became separated. Olaudah never heard from her again. From there he was taken to England, first enduring a long voyage where he was treated horribly, along with the other slaves. He was sold several times before being taken to America to be a house slave. The master was cruel and the slaves were too scared to even speak to each other. Next he was bought by an English naval officer and taken to sea. Here he finally made friends and began to learn to read and write, as well as experiencing many adventures and great peril.

Olaudah’s story does not end there. He is bought and sold a couple more times before he is taken to the West Indies. Here he sees a chance of freedom. It turns out he has a flair for business and becomes his master’s trusted slave. Working hard, he finally earns enough money to buy his freedom and returns to England as a free man. Here he wrote a book about his experiences and worked hard in the campaign against slavery.

This is an incredible true story, vividly brought to life by Catherine Johnson. It would be a brilliant addition to any UKS2 or KS3 classroom, especially if studying slavery. A difficult subject matter sensitively brought to life for children.

‘A Picture of Freedom’ is one of the ‘My Story’ series. It takes the form of diary entries, inspired by the true life-story of Clotee Henley, an enslaved girl on the Belmont Plantation, Virginia, in the mid-1800s.

Clotee works in the ‘Big House’ of the plantation, serving Mas’ Henley, Miz Lilly and their son William. As a witness to William’s education, Clotee learns to read and write – a skill that could have severe consequences if it was discovered. Despite this, Clotee endeavours to learn what she can. As her mind broadens, Clotee begins to wonder about the true meaning of the word, ‘freedom’. Becoming involved in the Underground Railroad and helping over 150 people escape slavery, Clotee comes to understand what a true picture of freedom looks like.

‘A Picture of Freedom’ tells a complex, emotional and heart-warming story in a child-friendly way, by describing some of the horrors of slavery through a child’s point of view. The author uses Clotee’s voice, including misunderstood spellings and words, immersing the reader in her Virginian drawl.
Many people will have heard of Harriet Tubman or Sojourner Truth but not heard of Clotee Henley or many others who also risked their lives during this turbulent time. This brave young woman not only risked her life to save over a hundred people but later dedicated her life to education, equal rights and women’s suffrage – a true inspiration.

This would be a brilliant book to share with children to understand some of the history around slavery in America. Many would be shocked to hear about the treatment of slaves but be inspired by the courage of people like Clotee and other abolitionists. I am sure it would lead to some very interesting discussions and debates, as well as providing a focus text for a biography unit in English.

This new illustrated children’s edition of David Olusoga’s account of Black British history is an essential book for schools – not only as an accessible and informative non-fiction read for KS2, but also as a book that I would thoroughly recommend for improving primary teachers’ own historical subject knowledge and especially those with input into their school’s curriculum design. As expressed perfectly by Lavinya Stennett (CEO of the Black Curriculum) in the Afterword, ‘This book is a testimony to the rich experiences of Black people of Britain in different periods of our history, and a reminder of the dearth of Black history in our curriculums.’

In the book, Olusoga explains the overlooked history of Black people in Britain from Roman times to the present day. Readers may be surprised to imagine the multiculturally diverse make-up of Roman Britain – and indeed to question why sources of history in primary schools may paint a historically misrepresentative picture of Roman society. Equally interesting is the development of notions of race throughout the periods of history, as the book walks chronologically through key eras. Did you know that it was only during the time of James I that the term ‘white’ was used as a description of racial identity, or that long after the abolition of slavery, the Victorians were propagating their own racist theories to justify profiting from slave-powered commerce?

The new illustrated version adds an impressive visual element with full-colour illustrations, maps, portrait galleries, timelines, and photographs. This edition makes the history behind the book accessible to a younger audience still and makes for a highly recommendable and informative non-fiction read.