Title: Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
First published January 1, 1993
40 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780679874720 (ISBN10: 0679874720)
Rating: 4.36
Overview
2023 marks the 30th anniversary of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt! Meet Clara, a young slave who longs to escape the plantation and reunite with her family. After overhearing some slaves talking about the Underground Railroad, Clara hatches a plan to create a map of the land using the scraps of cloth she has collected.
With her trusty needle and thread, Clara sets out to create a freedom quilt that will guide her and others to freedom. Full of heart and bravery, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt is a timeless story of hope and resilience that will inspire readers of all ages.
About the Author
I love writing stories about people from the past, both ordinary and extraordinary, especially those who fought for women’s rights and environmental and social justice. I also enjoy connecting with students from all over the world through Zoom and providing feedback on their picture books, nonfiction, and middle-grade novels.
Exciting news for 2022! I’m releasing three new books: The Deadliest Hurricanes Then and Now, The Deadliest Fires Then and Now, and ONLY ONE, which is illustrated by the talented Chuck Groenink.
And in 2023, get ready for RACE AGAINST DEATH: The Greatest POW Rescue of WWII and HAPPY EARTH DAY.
I’m incredibly honored to have recently been named a finalist for the SCBWI Golden Kite for nonfiction text for older readers with my book WE MUST NOT FORGET. It was also a finalist for the Oregon Book Award.
Editoral Review
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson is a historical fiction masterpiece that captures the imagination and the hearts of readers of all ages. Hopkinson, an award-winning author of children’s literature, provides a form of storytelling that is both lyrical and informative.
Set in the pre-Civil War South, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt invites readers on a journey of hope, resilience, and bravery. The main character, an enslaved girl named Clara, learns to sew a freedom quilt that secretly maps a network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
When her mother is sold to another plantation, Clara decides to escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad with the quilt as her guide. Along the way, Clara meets various characters who aid her in her journey, each one presenting challenges and opportunities for growth.
The novel’s characters are fully fleshed out, with Clara being the embodiment of tender bravery, resourcefulness, and self-determination. Readers will be enthralled by her story and the other characters who play integral roles in her quest for freedom.
Hopkinson’s writing style is infused with vibrant descriptive language and powerful metaphors that draw readers into the world that Clara inhabited. Her attention to historical detail is also worth noting, with the novel providing an excellent opportunity for readers to learn about the Underground Railroad and the remarkable contributions of the abolitionists.
This makes the book both educational and entertaining. One of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt’s strengths is its exploration of themes of freedom, courage, community, and hope, which are all relevant and significant to the world we live in today.
The book also presents a positive representation of Black history that celebrates resilience and resistance to oppression. The only weakness worth mentioning is the pacing, which can be slow-paced in certain chapters.
However, this is outweighed by the overall quality of writing and storytelling. Overall, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt is an impressive work of historical fiction that is both educational and thrilling.
It is recommended for middle-grade readers, young adults, and adults who appreciate well-crafted storytelling and historical fiction. This book is an excellent addition to any library’s collection and is a must-read for anyone interested in Black history and social justice.
I would give this book four and a half stars out of five, based on its engaging plot, memorable characters, historical accuracy, and thematic relevance.
