Never Forgotten
Author: Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Leo & Diane Dillon
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
Publication Year: 2011
Brief Summary: Using lyrical, free verse, this book tells the story of a young boy who is kidnapped in West African and sold into slavery.
Awards, Honors and Prizes:
- Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2012′ ‘ Honor Book’ ‘ Author’ ‘ United States’ ” ‘
- Skipping Stones Honor Award, 2012′ ” ‘ Multicultural and International Books’ ‘ United States’ ” ‘undefined
- Booklist Book Review Stars , Sept. 1, 2011 ; American Library Association
- Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 2011 ; American Library Association
- Booklist Top 10 Black History Books for Youth, 2012 ; American Library Association
- Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2011 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
- Choices, 2012 ; Cooperative Children’s Book Center
- Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 1, 2011
- New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2011 ; New York Public Library
- Notable Children’s Books, 2012 ; ALSC American Library Association
- Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, August 8, 2011 ; Cahners
- School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 2011 ; Cahners
Ideas for using this book in classroom or library and/or brief notes on curriculum connections/content learning standards/Common Core, etc.:
- Language arts: discuss poetry and different kinds of poems. This book is made up of a compilation of lyrical, free-verse poems. What are some characteristics of these types of poems?
- Social studies: discuss slavery and how it affected the people in Africa and the families. How did the father and mother in the story feel when their son was taken away? How did they try to get their son back?
- Art: study the artistic style used in the book. What do the illustrations tell you about how people felt?
- Discuss blacksmithing and why this trade is honored and respected?
Special features included (if applicable) — index; timeline; author’s notes; further reading; etc. Author’s notes about slavery and blacksmithing, legends about hurricanes, etc.
Accessed at: Capilano Library