The planter who buys you will put you to work in his household or in the sugar-cane fields. In the fields, under the hot sun, slaves don't last lon...
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reviews
Mar 24, 2009
Amy
rated it: 
a great book based on the real life slave revolt on St. John's Island. sensitive and mature portrayal of slavery told through a young girl's eyes. Angelica and her fellow slaves have intellegence and plans. the ending is a shocking, moving and powerful anti-slavery statement.
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Jul 20, 2010
Bobby
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This is a story about a young African girl named Raisha who gets taken from her tribe and thrown onto a slave ship known as God's Adventure. The sixth month journey is long but Raisha gets in the favors of the captain and is treated much better than the other slaves. She even learns some Danish. Finally the ship makes it to Raisha's new destination and home on the Island of Saint John. Her master's wife thinks Raisha has a beautiful smile, changes her name to Angelica and even promises her to ge
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Jul 15, 2010
Rachel
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This book is about a 16 year old girl named Raisha. She is the daughter of the leader of her African tribe and promised to marry Konje. However, she and a group of her people are captured and taken from her home and sold into slavery on the island of St. John. She goes to work as a house servent on Jost van Prok's plantation. There are some slaves who have runaway to Mary Point. They are planning a revolt. Konje decides that he cannot take being a slave any longer and runs away to join up with t
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May 25, 2008
K
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This book is very interesting to read. I read it when I was around 12 and it was difficult to read because it's a very emotional book. That being said, I think that's why the book works--it's emotional.
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Oct 21, 2007
Rebekah
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Scott O'Dell has a habit of writing historical pieces about strong women. I always wondered why he chose to look through that lens.
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May 08, 2010
Catherine
rated it: 
I read this as a companion to The Help for a task in my quarterly book challenge that asked us to read and adult book and a children's (but not YA) book on the same topic and compare which handled it better. I was stumped but someone else in the group used this comparison so I totally copied it! Though they are not quite the same topic - this book deals with slaves in the 1800's and The Help is about African-American household employees in the 1960's, but I did see some parallels in their situ
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Aug 15, 2011
Alexi
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 11, 2008
Rebecca
rated it:
I had never heard of the St. John's slave revolt in 1733. The book tells the story of Raisha, the daughter of a lesser Barato chief, beginning in Africa. The first chapter tells of the events leading to their being sold into slavery, and pictures her life of freedom. The horrors of the voyage and the terror of being sold are brought to life. Cruelty was apparently common, and the life of the slaves was held in small regard. Raisha was betrothed to a chief in her former life in Africa, and they a
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Aug 09, 2011
Eden
rated it:
Tells the story of a young girl taken from her home in Africa and sold to a plantation owner on St. John's in the West Indies. Slaves start to rebel against their masters and begin running away and forming a group. Angelica (Raisha-her real name) must decide what she wants to do, especially given that the leader of the run away group is the man she was going to marry in Africa, and she still wants to be with him.
Jun 07, 2010
Lindsey
rated it:
I read this as a child in my tiny Catholic school library. I was coming over here to review this book as great, even though I don't remember a lot. Then I saw some reviews from people who were...I suppose, upset by it as children? And it sort of came back to me, how the story progressed, how it ended. It was really sad. I do wonder why he focussed so much on strong women in rough situations. One one hand I really respect that I had the chance to read so many stories as a child of people, wo
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Mar 15, 2009
Sara
rated it:
Scott O'Dell writes young adult historical fiction with such a straight-forward candor that is based on the premise that pre-teens can understand and deal with heavy topics in history.
This story is about a young girl, coming of age who is captured in Africa and sent to live as a slave on a plantation in St. John. She is involved in a revolt.
This story is about a young girl, coming of age who is captured in Africa and sent to live as a slave on a plantation in St. John. She is involved in a revolt.
May 31, 2011
Danielle
rated it:
I just grabbed this off the YA shelf today in the library as a quick read. It was very discouraging, although probably an accurate picture of a slave's life in the 1700's. It's better than three stars, but I felt empty and discouraged after reading it.
Jan 06, 2009
Natalie
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I read this in either jr. high or grade school a couple of times and remember really enjoying it. Obviously, due to the subject matter, it's a sad read. But I remember really enjoying the book (enough to read it a second time!)
Jan 11, 2009
Isabelle
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This book was interesting, spine chilling, and frightening all at once. It was a little confusing but interesting. I hope there is a sequel to this book because it can fill in the blanks from the first one.
Dec 27, 2010
Jamie
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Well written, but this book really depressed me. Hoping for a happy ending, I suppose. But the truth of the matter is that most slaves didn't get one.
Jun 13, 2010
JocelynRose
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No much happened in this book except for a lot of rum drinking and talking and some running around. Interesting...
Jan 21, 2012
Terry
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This is a grim topic and an important story handled sensitively for young readers. It didn't really grab me, as the writing and descriptions seemed sketchy and the characters distant.
Aug 27, 2008
Swankivy
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As a concept, I really wanted to like this book, but I thought the characterization was completely, 100% flat, and that was really disappointing. I *never* felt like I was "there" and I never felt the emotions of the characters. Anything I felt like reacting to was something inherent in the sadness of the historical period--something I knew before picking up the book. I really felt like all the author did was tell you what happened.
Feb 23, 2010
Barbara
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Based on the 1733 slave revolt on St. Johns Island. A good read for 5th - 8th graders.
May 31, 2011
Mckinley
rated it:
Well researched story from O'Dell. Understated, fairly non-emotional account of very disturbing event - the slave rebellion of 1733 on St. John's Island. The heroine, Raisha is first captured in her African home, shipped to the Caribbean, sold into slavery, labors from pre-dawn til midnight, and then... Read the story and you will find out!
May 18, 2011
Imani ♥ ☮
rated it:
I read this book a while ago and the only thing I can remember about it was trying to get through it and not liking it. After I finished reading it, I was confused. That's all I remember about this book.
Jun 25, 2010
Julianna
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I thought My Name is not Angelica was an okay book. It was confusing at parts, and it didn't fill in all of the blanks at the end of the story. Although I think the book was exciting and a great read.
May 15, 2008
Kirsten
rated it:
I remeber liking this a lot more as a yound kid.
either this just isn't the best book or it is for a younger audiance than I thought.
I did like the ending and the historical aspects.
either this just isn't the best book or it is for a younger audiance than I thought.
I did like the ending and the historical aspects.
Dec 16, 2009
Marion
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It's really cool when you're in 3rd grade, and your mom makes you read a book where literally everyone dies in the end. Thanks for that one mom.
Dec 17, 2009
Patricia
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Please see my review of "The Island of the Blue Dolphins" and apply it to this book as well.
Hey, I'm lazy tonight.
Hey, I'm lazy tonight.
May 28, 2008
Tamsyn
rated it:
It's a very moving story, and very sad. It paints an accurate picture of what slavery was like.
May 03, 2008
Maya
rated it:
This book is very cool. Raisha is forced out of her home and forced to become a slave.
