Book Review and Giveaway: Priscilla and the Hollyhocks. Ends February 2012

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks written by Anne Broyles and illustrated by Anna Alter.

Priscilla is a slave in the Big House. The hollyhocks her mother planted by the cow pond are all Priscilla has left to remember her by. When Master dies, Priscilla is sold to a Cherokee family. Another plantation, same life. Based on a true story, Priscilla and the Hollyhocks follows Priscilla from her early years on a Southern plantation to her forced march along the Trail of Tears to the chance encounter that leads to her freedom. On her journey from slave to free woman, Priscilla carries something precious with her: hollyhock seeds… and hope.

Author’s Note

Different versions of this story have been told, but a young slave named Priscilla did live out the events detailed in Priscilla and the Hollyhocks. Priscilla was a house servant on a Georgiaplantation. She met an Illinoisinnkeeper named Barzilla (Basil or Bazil) Silkwood when he visited her master (name unknown) sometime in the mid-1830s. When her master died, the girl was purchased by a Cherokee man. Many Cherokees, in an effort to adapt to European American settlers’ ways, farmed large properties and owned slaves, although not all members of the tribe approved of slavery.

As the American population spread westward, many Native Americans found they were fighting a losing battle with the United States government. In 1830 Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, a law that made it easier for the government to move Native Americans from coveted land in the East to less desirable “Indian Territory” west of the Mississippi River. In 1838 the government rounded up more than sixteen thousand Cherokees and forced them to move. Over four thousand Cherokees died on this “Trail of Tears” due to illness, malnutrition, and exhaustion.

As a Cherokee family’s slave, Priscilla accompanied her owners, walking over five hundred miles in bitterly cold weather. Amazingly enough, as Priscilla was passing through Jonesboro, Illinois, she happened to see Basil Silkwood standing on the porch of the Willard Hotel. He listened to Priscilla’s story, followed to where she was camped, and paid one thousand dollars in gold for Priscilla’s freedom. He then took Priscilla home to Mulkeytown, Illinois. Basil and his wife, Mariah, adopted her into their family. A child of one of Priscilla’s adoptive brothers later wrote, “She was just one of the sixteen children that Uncle Bazil and his wife raised. They had no children of their own. Priscilla was treated just as good as the other children were.”

Priscilla outlived Basil and Mariah and inherited forty acres of land, as did each of the other adopted children. Priscilla died in 1892 and was buried beside the Silkwoods near the Silkwood Inn (the family home). Today the inn is a historic site and museum. The seeds from Priscilla’s flowers, now commonly known as Priscilla’s hollyhocks, have been shared by gardeners since 1839.

— Anne Broyles

My Review: This is a well written story based on facts. Anne Broyles takes us on a journey into Priscilla’s childhood as she is sold from one family to another until she found Massa Silkwood who set her free and adopted her into his family of fifteen. Priscilla was not only saved by Mr. Silkwood but also by hollyhocks. Old Sylvia told her how her mother will make hollyhock dolls and set it to sail on the cow pond. When she watches her flower dolls float on the cow pond she felt her mother’s smile. Is show how the flowers represented a strong memory of her mother who was sold when she was a very young child. Priscilla always had a hand full of seeds with her and planed them where ever she went. She was sold to a Cherokee family when her master died. Read about the brief history of the Cherokee as they were told to leave their homes and lands.  Priscilla found freedom and a happy life thereafter. Great illustrations by Anna Alter which capture the story. I highly recommend this book for every schools and libraries.

Ages: 4 -8

Pages: 32

FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

Giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Giveaway is Open to the US ONLY – Author is giving a copy to 1 winner. Giveaway Ends February 2012.

Giveaway Guidelines and Disclaimer

http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com/giveaway-guidelines-disclaimer/

Comments like these would be deleted – Great contest, Please enter me, Love to win this!, This is so cute! So please leave a helpful comment relating to this book.

PLEASE FOLLOW ALL MANDATORY RULES – Rules not followed will be deleted immediately.

(Rule 4. Winner/winners will be seleted from either the Book review comments field OR from the Author’s interview comments field.) So it would be best to leave your comment on both.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Mandatory: Please leave your comment about the book in the comment field below.

 

Mandatory Entry: Please click link below and read the author’s interview and leave a comment there. http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/interview-with-author-anne-broyles/#comments

 

Do Not Forget to Click the links

above to leave Your Comment

  about the interview also!

Interview with Author Anne Broyles

Author of Priscilla and the Hollyhocks.

Biography: As a child, I loved Saturday mornings because after a one-hour piano lesson, I walked across the street from my piano teacher’s home to a public library.Week after week, year after year, I returned the books checked out the previous week, and luxuriated in an hour to find the books I would read the next week. That repeated library adventure formed me. I continue to love learning about and engaging with many people, cultures, and worlds I first met in the pages of a book.

Although I actively wrote stories and poems throughout my school career, it wasn’t until I had finished seminary and was working as a United Methodist minister that I began to publish my writings. Over the years I wrote hundreds of magazine articles, many books of curriculum for middle and high school students, thirteen spiritual/devotional books for adults, and a few poems. I retired from the ministry in 1997 to write fulltime

My first children’s book, Shy Mama’s Halloween (Tilbury House, 2000) was named a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People for 2001 by the Children’s Book Council and National Council for Social Studies, was on the McNaughton List, and won the Teachers’ Choice Award from Learning magazine.

My most recent book, Priscilla and the Hollyhocks (Charlesbridge Books, 2008) is the true story of a slave girl who went on the Trail of Tears with her Cherokee master in 1838. Like the Priscilla story, many of my current book projects are based on historical events.

I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, have traveled all over the world and now live in Massachusetts. I love to visit schools to share with and learn from students about writing and reading. http://www.annebroyles.com/index.htm

Interview with Author

I want to thank you for being my guest here on Mymcbooks Blog

What is the last book you read?

Ann Patchett’s STATE OF WONDER. I heard her speak the day the book came out, and just  got around to reading this wonderful novel.

What were your earliest memories of writing?

I have copies of my early elementary school writings and clearly remember my fifth-grade teacher’s assignments. I credit him with inspiring me through our Wednesday afternoon writing sessions.

Were you encouraged to write or was it something that came natural?

Teachers, parents and an older brother encouraged me after they saw how much I enjoyed writing as a first and second grader.

Are you working on a new book?

I work on multiple projects at one time, so am actively working on an historical chapter book (Depression eraWest Virginia), a contemporary young adult road trip novel, and several picture books. I am also actively sending our manuscripts I consider finished and ready for publication.

What inspired you to write Priscilla and the Hollyhocks and how did you come up with each character?

I found the real-life Priscilla’s story while researching a different book for older readers. I knew the bare bones of the story and from that, tried to flesh out the two main characters from their actions, plus added other minor characters.

What was your favorite children’s book?

Island of the Blue Dolphins , The Borrowers series, and Blue Willow were all favorites.

What is the most difficult part of writing?

I like writing more than revision, but the business and marketing end are the most frustrating for me.

What do you do when you’re not writing or promoting your books?

I work for a Habitat for Humanity affiliate, kayak, do yoga, Pilates and Zumba, travel, mentor six people (for instance, a “Little Sister” and Iraqi refugee family), read voraciously, and take on short-term editing projects.

How do you react to a bad review and have you ever suffered from writer’s block?

I’ve had good reviews so far. I don’t really have “writer’s block,” but if I feel stuck or tired of one project, I switch to another so I can keep momentum going and not waste my writing time.

What do you hope that readers will take away from your book?

I hope readers will be inspired by Priscilla’s resilient spirit. She stayed positive and was open to life’s goodness even when she was a slave and had no power over her life. Her fascination with hollyhocks showed how much we all need beauty in our lives.

Who are some of your favorite authors you would love to dine with?

Barbara Kingsolver (a kindred spirit), Libba Bray (a hilarious woman!), Leon Uris (he wrote great, sweeping historical sagas), and Toni Morrison (a brilliant woman).

What author inspires you the most and why?

Laurie Halse Anderson because she writes well, connects with her readers and is a disciplined professional who produces a book a year.

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?

I write almost every day, often long hours, but I am motivated enough by the writing itself that specific word or page counts don’t help. Jane Yolen’s BIC (Butt in Chair) is the best advice.

What advice would you give parents on selecting the right books for their children to read?

Make visits to the library part of your child’s life from the time they are toddlers. Let them choose a wide variety of books, encourage them to try new genres, and when they are old enough, take them to bookstore events to meet “real live authors.”

What advice you would give to new writers?

Believe in yourself. Find mentor and peer writers. Join the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators. Take every opportunity to grow in your craft. Never give up.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Thank you for buying and appreciating children’s literature! And thank you, Ella, for this opportunity to visit Mymcbook’s!

Book Review: Smack-Dab in the Middle of God’s Love

Smack Dab in the Middle of God’s Love is a book about God’s love by Brennan Manning and John Blase, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell

Smack Dab in the Middle of God’s Love is a book about God’s love by Brennan Manning and John Blase. The story starts with Willie Juan and Ana who were smack-dab in the middle of their years. They couldn’t have children of their own but their home is always full of neighborhood children and the children enjoyed Ana’s most delicious sopapillas and they love to ask Willie Juan a lot of questions. When the children came over to visit, Willie wanted to find out what the children think of Abba (God) when they get to heaven someday. And a few of the kids talked about God’s love.

We are all smack-dab in the middle of God’s loving arms. The message of this story teaches children that God loves them and that is it important to have a relationship with Him. Great watercolor illustrations by Nicole Tadgell, it helped to tell the story of God’s love and bring every page to life. I recommend this book for Sunday school.

For a copy of this book visit http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400317134/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Age: 4-8

Pages: 32

 

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.combook review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16CFR, Part 255.