More than Anything Else

More than Anything Else
Written by Marie Bradby, Illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet
Ages 7-10
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"More than Anything Else" is the story of a young Booker T. Washington and his desire to learn how to read more than anything else.  Despite the lack of literacy around him and his long hours working at the saltworks, Booker perseveres and learns how to read.

I did not realize this was about Booker T. Washington from the cover however I believe it is a tribute to him and not a historical account.  The story takes place in 1865 when Booker and his family are living in what appears to be a small community of African Americans who all work at the saltworks.  I found the time and place of the story interesting because it takes place after the abolition of slavery but before African Americans had real, enforced rights.  This is always a gray period of study in school because we rarely study what African Americans were experiencing before the civil rights movement.  The narrative suggests that they have more freedom in their new home.  The book does a great job of describing their living situation between the language and the illustrations.  We see Booker leave for the saltworks before dawn and return after sunset.  His experience is not glamorized as the long hours in the saltworks are described in detail from the salt cuts and aching muscles and the workers faces in the illustrations are grim. 

However the main theme in the story is one of hope.  Despite the rough conditions Booker has a hunger for words and his desire to learn to read overcomes his physical stress. He know there is power in reading and "secrets in those books" even though few people in his life can read.  I feel like his desire to learn to read despite his lifestyle may not be an accurate representation of people in similar environments at the time.  However Booker comments on how those around him showed little interest in learning to read so the story really serves as an example of one boys determination and perseverance and we know that he went on to become a well respected and educated person.  The story also conveys of literacy was limited among African Americans at the time however it served as a means for change and power within the lives of African Americans. 

Booker T. Washington played an important role in our history the development of the civil rights movement.  He was also active in a very interesting and largely neglected period of history for African Americans.  I would expand on this story and discuss how Booker went on to be an advocacy for the eduction of African Americans.  We might discuss what the story might predict what role Booker will play in history before further inquiry.  However I would not want to isolate Booker as an important African American figure in history.  I would want to teach about him within a broader historical context and African American perspective on the time period.