Prudence Crandall, Woman of Courage by Elizabeth Yates
Published originally
by Dutton, c. 1955. Republished 1996 by
Boyds Mills Press.
Elizabeth Yates was
born in 1905 near Buffalo, NY, and died in 2001 in Concord, NH. She is best
known for her 1955 Newbery Medal book, Amos
Fortune, Free Man. Her book, Mountain Born, was a 1944 Newbery Honor book. She said of her school teachers, "I know how much I look back
on my teachers now, with a heart almost aching with gratitude for all they gave
me, and not a little remorse for all the trouble I gave them...the teachers I
think of with most gratitude are the teachers who made books real to me."
Yates’
early years of growing up on a farm developed in her a love for animals and for
the land. When still a child she made a little writing room in an unused pigeon
loft on the family farm. Her mother read
to her and the siblings often which developed her love of books. Her father
challenged her to read the entire Bible at age 12, which she did, later
claiming that it was her favorite book.
Through
the years of her writing career of over 40 books for children, she won many
awards such as the Herald Tribune Award, William Allen White Children’s Book
Award, and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award.
I
have not read all of her books, but do have quite a few, and can
whole-heartedly recommend them. They include:
Amos
Fortune, Free Man – the moving story of a boy captured by slave traders and
sold in Massachusetts. After 45 years of slavery, he finally began to see his
dream of freedom come true.
Mountain
Born – this has been reprinted by Bob Jones University Press. This is the story
of an old shepherd Benji who teaches a young boy Peter how to care for his lamb
and the sheep.
Pebble
in a Pool: The Widening Circle of Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s Life – a wonderful
biographical work. Fisher was also a
prolific writer of children’s literature, including Understood Betsy, and evidentally highly-admired by Yates.
The
Next Fine Day – this has also been reprinted by Bob Jones University Press. A
historical fiction story taking place in England, influenced by the 10 years
Elizabeth and her husband spent there.
With
Pipe, Paddle and Song: A Story of the French-Canadian Voyageurs. This title has
been republished by Bethlehem Books. It’s the story of a young man who signs a
three-year contract as a voyageur on a fur-trapping expedition to NW Canada in
1750. I think this one is my favorite all of that I’ve read of her books.
I
had never seen her book about Prudence Crandall, but certainly recognized the
author and knew the book would be worth
buying and reading. I stayed up late last night to read it in its entirety!
When that happens, you know the book is excellent.
From
the dust jacket:
“This
critically acclaimed novel by Newbery Award-winner Elizabeth Yates is reissued
for a new generation of readers. Here is the The New York Times Book Review said about Prudence Crandall: Woman
of Courage when it was first published in 1955.
‘It took courage to fight racial prejudice in 1833. In that year
Prudence Crandall, young Quaker teacher, opened her school to ‘young Ladies and
little Misses of color’ – and roused her town of Canterbury, Connecticut, to
unreasoning fury. The villagers broke her windows and spattered her house with
rotten eggs. They accused her of going counter to both the Constitution and God’s
law. When Prudence remained unshaken by threats, they passed the ‘Black Law’
against schools for Negroes; they subjected her to long trials and even
imprisonment. Prudence never yielded an inch of her conviction that mankind is
one. She had stout friends – William Lloyd
Garrison, her Quaker family, the man who defended her, Calvin Philleo who love
sweetened her personal life. Yet it might seem she failed since she lost her
school and left Canterbury. The surprise is that Prudence’s courage bore fruit
long afterward, proof that one person’s efforts do count in the balance of
history. This quiet, sober record of moral and spiritual courage should be
introduced to thoughtful girls who can appreciate its timely message.”
Crandall’s
humble courage in the face of such persecution is very inspiring. She wrestled
long and hard with her conscience before God, only to come to the conclusion
that the girls “of color” also deserved the best-possible education. Despite
the staunch prejudice of many, typical of her times, she persevered.
Thankfully, some in high places, came to her assistance. I highly recommend
this book. In light of the many struggles that continue in our nation over
racial issues, I believe this book helps to address some answers and to give
courage to our young people to do what is right. This story also displays how
far we have come, although imperfectly. Children of all races are educated in
our great land. Yes, there are still many prejudices though. Perhaps this story
of one brave woman who dared to defy the hostilities of her day will inspire
our young people and will facilitate some open discussion.
I
think Elizabeth Yates must have felt strongly about these issues since she
chose to write this biographical story as well as Amos Fortune, Free Man.
Recommended
additional books/resources to aid your studies:
The
three volume autobiography of Elizabeth Yates, My Diary – My World (1981), My Widening World (1983), and One Writer's Way (1984). I have not read these but will be on the
look out for them.
http://friendsofprudencecrandallmuseum.org/
if you want to explore Crandall’s school online or go for a visit.
Prudence Crandall,
Teacher for Equal Rights by Lucas. On My Own biography series
Caught
in the Rebel Camp - Frederick Douglass by Dave and Neta Jackson, Trailblazer
book
Frederick
Douglass – Lillie Patterson, a Discovery Biography published by Garrard
Harper’s
Ferry, The Story of John Brown’s Raid by Barrett
John
Brown, His Soul Goes Marching On by Iger
John
Brown’s Body by Stephen Vincent Benet
John
Brown by Jeannette Covert Nolan, a Messner biography
Anthony
Burns, The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive by Virginia Hamilton
Freedom
Ship of Robert Smalls by Louise Meriwether
Robert
Smalls: The Boat Thief by Robert Kennedy
Paul
Cuffee, America’s First Black Captain by Johanna Johnston
Friend:
The Story of George Fox and the Quakers by Jane Yolen. He lived earlier in time
that Crandall, but started the Quakers who were strong abolitionists.
Annals
of America by Mortimer Jerome Adler. These volumes are full of primary source
documents of American history including speeches, laws, court proceedings, etc.
22 volumes covering American history. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the “Black
Laws” of Connecticut are included in these volumes. It’s always good to read
primary sources when available.
Charlotte
Forten: A Black Teacher in the Civil War by Peter Bouchard
Charlotte
Forten, Free Black Teacher by Esther M. Doty, published by Garrard
I
Will Be Heard: The Life of William Lloyd Garrison by Doris Faber. He was
Prudence Crandall’s defense lawyer.
Sisters
Against Slavery: A Story about Sarah and Angelina Grimke by Stephanie McPherson
Fighting
Journalist: Horace Greeley by Jules Archer, a Messner biograpy
Horace
Greeley: The People’s Editor by Doris Faber
Horace
Greeley, Newspaperman by Gertrude Winders
Lamb’s
Warrior: The Life of Isaac T. Hopper by Margaret Hope Bacon
Julia
Ward Howe: Girl of Old New York by Jean Brown Wagoner. A Childhood of Famous
Americans book.
Sojourner
Truth: Fearless Crusader by Helen Stone Peterson. A Discovery biography.
Sojourner
Truth: Freedom Fighter by Julian May.
Freedom
Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling
Minty:
A Story of Young Harriet Tubman by Alan Schroeder.
Moses:
When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carol Boston Weatherford, a
Caldecott Honor book. Excellent!
Famous
American Negroes by Langston Hughes
Special
Bravery by Johanna Johnston
(Book
review by Sandy Hall. All rights reserved. July 20, 2017)
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