Let My People Go

📘 About This Book

"Come join me as I take you back to Charleston, South Carolina, to my father's forge in the early 1800's. Sit with me on the woodpile as he tells a tale of faith, hope, or love." In this extraordinary collection, Charlotte Jefferies and her father Price, a former slave, introduce us to twelve best loved Bible tales, from Genesis to Daniel, and reveal their significance in the lives of African Americans--and indeed of all oppressed peoples. When Charlotte wants to understand the cruel injustices of her time, she turns to her father. Does the powerful slaveholder, Mr. Sam Riley, who seems to own all that surrounds them, also own the sun and moon? she wonders. Price's answer is to tell the story of Creation. How can God allow an evil like slavery to exist? she asks. Price responds by telling the story of the Hebrews' Exodus -- and shows Charlotte that someday their people, too, will be free. With exquisite clarity, Patricia and Fredrick McKissack and James Ransome -- a Newbery Honor winner and all Coretta Scott King Award winners -- brilliantly illuminate the parallels between the stories of the Jews and African-American history. Let My People Go is a triumphant celebration of both the human spirit and the enduring power of story as a source of strength. Our hope is that this book will be like a lighthouse that can guide young readers through good times and bad....The ideas that these ancient stories hold are not for one people, at one time, in one place. They are for all of us, for all times, everywhere. --from the Authors' Note to Let My People Go

📖 Summary

Let My People Go by Patricia C. McKissack transports readers to Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1800s, offering a deeply moving and reflective exploration of faith, resilience, and storytelling within the context of American slavery. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of a young girl named Charlotte Jefferies as she sits on the woodpile by her father's forge, seeking comfort and understanding amidst the cruel injustices of her daily life. Her father, Price, is a former slave whose wisdom, patience, and rich storytelling become a lifeline for Charlotte as she grapples with the harsh realities of their world. When confronted by the overwhelming power of the local slaveholder, Mr. Sam Riley, who appears to control everything around them, Charlotte questions the limits of earthly authority. She wonders if the powerful master owns even the sun and moon. In response, Price shares the story of Creation, anchoring her spirit in a higher power and a broader cosmic order that transcends human bondage. As Charlotte struggles with profound moral and spiritual dilemmas—such as how a merciful God could possibly allow an evil as horrific as slavery to exist—her father answers her anguish by turning to the timeless narratives of the Bible. Across twelve beloved tales stretching from Genesis to Daniel, Price and Charlotte examine these sacred stories not merely as ancient texts, but as living mirrors that reflect the specific struggles, hopes, and triumphs of African Americans and all oppressed peoples throughout history. Through this extraordinary collection, McKissack weaves together history and theology, demonstrating how marginalized communities found spiritual sustenance, dignity, and a profound sense of destiny within scripture. The book serves as both a historical window into the antebellum South and a universal testament to the enduring power of faith and hope in the face of systemic cruelty. By framing these biblical stories through the intimate relationship between a father and his daughter, the author creates a powerful literary experience that honors the legacy of those who used storytelling as a form of resistance, comfort, and survival. Let My People Go stands as a remarkable work of young adult historical fiction that encourages readers of all backgrounds to reflect on justice, freedom, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

🎯 Key Lessons

⚖️ Pros & Cons

✍️ About the Author

Patricia C. McKissackView all books →

❓ FAQ

💬 💬 Reader Comments (0)