# Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage - Hardcover

by **Jerdine Nolen** (Author), **James E. Ransome** (Illustrator)

**"Powerful storytelling and immersive art." --_Kirkus Reviews_ (starred review)**  
**"Vibrant writing and magical realism lift this story to one of triumph." --_Publishers Weekly_**  
**"Nolen's lively prose style recalls the richness of the oral tradition in this tale of triumphant courage and abiding hope." --_The Horn Book_**  
"**A moving choice for children's collections." --_Booklist_**

**A Parents' Choice Silver Award Recipient**

**In this inspiring story in the tradition of American black folktales, an enslaved brother and sister are inspired by a majestic and mysterious bird to escape to freedom in this dramatic and unforgettable picture book.**

_There was nothing civil about_ that war_._ _They should have called it what it was: a big, bad war._

Brother and sister Millicent and John are slaves on Simon Plenty's plantation and have suffered one hurt and heartbreak after another. Their parents had told them old tales of how their ancestors had flown away to freedom just as free and easy as a bird. Millicent and John hold these stories in their hearts long after their parents are gone. "Maybe such a time will come for you," their parents said. Then one day a mysterious bird appears in their lives. The bird transforms them and gives them the courage to set their plan into motion and escape to freedom.

### Author Biography

Jerdine Nolen is the beloved author of many award-winning books, including _Big Jabe_; _Thunder Rose_, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book; and _Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life_, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, all illustrated by Kadir Nelson. She is also the author of _Eliza's Freedom Road_, illustrated by Shadra Strickland, which was an ALA/YALSA Best Fiction Nominee for Young Adults; _Raising Dragons_, illustrated by Elise Primavera, which received the Christopher Award; and _Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm_, illustrated by Mark Buehner, which was made into a movie by the same name. Her other books include _Calico Girl_, a _Kirkus Reviews_ Best Book of the Year, and _Irene's Wish_, illustrated by A.G. Ford, which _Kirkus Reviews_ called "delightful and memorable" in a starred review. Ms. Nolen is an educator and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland.

James E. Ransome's highly acclaimed illustrations for _Before She Was Harriet_ received the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. His other award-winning titles include the Coretta Scott King winner _The Creation_; Coretta Scott King Honor Book _Uncle Jed's Barbershop_; _Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt_; and _Let My People Go_, winner of the NAACP Image Award. James is also a recipient of the ALA Children's Literature Legacy Award. He frequently collaborates with his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome. One of their recent titles is _Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams_, which received four starred reviews and was an ALA Notable Children's Book. James is a professor and coordinator of the MFA Illustration Graduate Program at Syracuse University. He lives in New York's Hudson River Valley region with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com.

**Number of Pages:** 32

**Dimensions:** 0.4 x 11.1 x 8.6 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** January 14, 2020

**Accelerated Reader:**

**Quiz Name:** Freedom Bird

**Interest Level:** Lower Grades, K-3

**Reading Level:** 4.4

**Point Value:** 0.5

## Details

- **Price:** 19.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 19.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage - Hardcover
- Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage - Hardcover

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