Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
The Forbidden Schoolhouse: The True and Dramatic Story of Prudence Crandall and Her Students
They threw rocks and rotten eggs at the school windows. Villagers refused to sell Miss Crandall groceries or let her students attend the town church. Mysteriously, her schoolhouse was set on fire—by whom and how remains a mystery. The town authorities dragged her to jail and put her on trial for breaking the law.
Her crime? Trying to teach African American girls geography,...more
Her crime? Trying to teach African American girls geography,...more
Hardcover, 160 pages
Published
October 24th 2005
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
(first published 2005)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
254)
The Forbidden Schoolhouse tells the story of Prudence Crandall who against all opposition opened a school to educate African American young women. Already the founder and educator of an all-white girls’ boarding school, Prudence made the decision to close her school to whites and open it strictly for teaching young black girls and young women to become teachers themselves. Before the school even opened Prudence received threats from her fellow townspeople, and after the school opened things got...more
Richie’s Picks: THE FORBIDDEN SCHOOLHOUSE: THE TRUE AND DRAMATIC STORY OF PRUDENCE CRANDALL AND HER STUDENTS by Suzanne Jurmain, Houghton Mifflin, 2005, 160p., ISBN: 978-0-618-47302-1
“There were now enough students to make a real class. Prudence lectured. The girls concentrated on their reading and arithmetic. In the classroom it was calm and quiet. But if the girls stepped outside the front gate, boys tailed after them blowing horns, beating drums, and shouting insults. Someone smeared dung on...more
“There were now enough students to make a real class. Prudence lectured. The girls concentrated on their reading and arithmetic. In the classroom it was calm and quiet. But if the girls stepped outside the front gate, boys tailed after them blowing horns, beating drums, and shouting insults. Someone smeared dung on...more
The Forbidden Schoolhouse: The True and Dramatic Story of Prudence Crandall and her Students, is an easy read about Prudence Crandall who, in 1831 opened a school for girls. Crandall was a very intelligent lady and was the teacher of many wealthy students. The text in the book is accurate and gives authentic details about Crandall and the time period. The true story takes place in Canterbury, CT during a time when abolitionists were starting to fight for the equality of all people. One day Crand...more
Summary: The Forbidden Schoolhouse is about a teacher named Miss. Crandall who is trying to teach African American girls about philosophy, history, reading, chemisty and geography basically trying to teach them anything that is taught to all of the other students. People didn't respect her for that and thought it was a crime for her to be teaching to African Americans. They wouldn't let her students attend the town church and they refused to sell Miss. Crandall any groceries. They ended up throw...more
The Forbidden Schoolhouse
By Suzanne Jurmain
Reviewed by Margherita A.
I liked a lot the setting , the plot and I think the characters were amazing to. I love the way the book was written and illustrated .I enjoyed a lot the story but I the only part I that surprised me was when she gave up on the hole project she was building through out her life. But over all it was a very interesting book.
Let me tell you a little more about what happened through out the main characters life. Prudence was a real...more
By Suzanne Jurmain
Reviewed by Margherita A.
I liked a lot the setting , the plot and I think the characters were amazing to. I love the way the book was written and illustrated .I enjoyed a lot the story but I the only part I that surprised me was when she gave up on the hole project she was building through out her life. But over all it was a very interesting book.
Let me tell you a little more about what happened through out the main characters life. Prudence was a real...more
Genre: Nonfiction
Awards: 2006 Orbis Pictus Honor Book Award
Age Group: Intermediate - Advanced
Summary: This is the story of Prudence Crandall, a young white teacher who opened the first school for African American students in Connecticut during the 1830's. Her goal was to educate young African American women so they could become teachers. She was met with much objection from racist townspeople who were determined to shut down her school. Her school was vandalized and set on fire, she was threaten...more
Awards: 2006 Orbis Pictus Honor Book Award
Age Group: Intermediate - Advanced
Summary: This is the story of Prudence Crandall, a young white teacher who opened the first school for African American students in Connecticut during the 1830's. Her goal was to educate young African American women so they could become teachers. She was met with much objection from racist townspeople who were determined to shut down her school. Her school was vandalized and set on fire, she was threaten...more
I LOVED this book. It tells such a great story of a very brave woman who dared to open her elite boarding school to young ladies of color. She faced tremendous opposition and danger, but stood by her resolve. With the help of others who championed the cause of civil rights, she left her mark. I'm absolutely amazed... it's a story I want to share with my children... one I think everyone could benefit from reading. I am in wonder at the courage required of many who lived before us... those who fel...more
1 like · like · see review
view 1 comment
This non-fiction, narrative text is very accessible to young adult readers. Chapters are not too long and the pictures break up things nicely, while adding to the text. I think the photos of newspapers and advertisements of the time are particularly effective. The appendix and notes at the back provide a satisfying conclusion for readers wondering “What then?” and could also be used for further investigation.
The Forbidden Schoolhouse was a thoroughly enjoyable read for me. I had never heard of P...more
The Forbidden Schoolhouse was a thoroughly enjoyable read for me. I had never heard of P...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this little known story about Prudence Crandall, who is today known as the official female hero of the state of Connecticut. For people whose ancestry is primarily from New England, this story may be a revelation about the extent of the citizenry's prejudice against early African-Americans.
I rated this book as a three because while Crandall's story is exciting and inspiring, the book is a bit dry and some young adults may find it difficult to get through. The author did a g...more
I rated this book as a three because while Crandall's story is exciting and inspiring, the book is a bit dry and some young adults may find it difficult to get through. The author did a g...more
I had never heard the name of Prudence Crandall before reading this book, but I'm glad I know it now. This was a very amazing story of a woman in Connecticut who decided to take black female students into her school. Set long before the Civil War, Prudence's efforts to educate black females were both risky and admirable.
This is a fast non-fiction read with good biographical information at the end so that the reader knows what happened to some of the subordinate historical characters like Revere...more
This is a fast non-fiction read with good biographical information at the end so that the reader knows what happened to some of the subordinate historical characters like Revere...more
Synopsis
In the 1830's Prudence Crandall closed her Connecticut boarding school for rich white girls and reopened it for black girls. In a time when both women and blacks were supposed to know their place, this act incited a great backlash. This book chronicles their acts of bravery in an attempt to bring a bit of social equality to an unjust world.
Review
I have always said that there's no reason for history to be boring. History is about people with fears and passions and sometimes get caught up...more
In the 1830's Prudence Crandall closed her Connecticut boarding school for rich white girls and reopened it for black girls. In a time when both women and blacks were supposed to know their place, this act incited a great backlash. This book chronicles their acts of bravery in an attempt to bring a bit of social equality to an unjust world.
Review
I have always said that there's no reason for history to be boring. History is about people with fears and passions and sometimes get caught up...more
1. Have you ever said yes to something that brought all kinds of trouble into your life?
2. Have you ever said yes to something knowing it would bring all kinds of trouble into your life?
This is a fast flowing, suspenseful narrative of one woman’s brave stand for her belief in equality in education. The bulk of the action takes place in 1830s Connecticut, when women were still instructed in separate schools. African-Americans had it worse: they were generally refused education in the North, and w...more
2. Have you ever said yes to something knowing it would bring all kinds of trouble into your life?
This is a fast flowing, suspenseful narrative of one woman’s brave stand for her belief in equality in education. The bulk of the action takes place in 1830s Connecticut, when women were still instructed in separate schools. African-Americans had it worse: they were generally refused education in the North, and w...more
This book was informative, but not written in a way that was very captivating. It is aimed more at middle grades so all of the language and sentence structures are at a more basic level than I am used to reading. It does describe an event from history that I was not previously familiar with, so it definitely achieved the purpose of informing the reader. However, it wasn't really an "exciting read."
Prudence had to endure so much when she decided to open a school for African American girls. This books tells of her troubles.
I always enjoy reading these kinds of books and I think it's important for children to learn of these things as well. It shows that things were not always as they are now and we need to appreciate what we have and be grateful.
I always enjoy reading these kinds of books and I think it's important for children to learn of these things as well. It shows that things were not always as they are now and we need to appreciate what we have and be grateful.
Probably the best nonfiction book I've ever read for children. Prudence Crandall lived a very brave and fascinating life and this book has just the right balance between information and pictures. Great for 5th-8th graders especially.
Prudence Crandall is Connecticut's state heroine and her story should be better known.
Prudence Crandall is Connecticut's state heroine and her story should be better known.
In 1831 Prudence Crandall ran an elite boarding school for young women. When a black girl asked permission to join her school, Prudence, an abolitionist and supporter of African Americans' rights, let her join the class. The small town of Canterbury, CT was outraged and white parents pulled their daughters from her school. In response, Prudence decided to admit only African American students. Although townspeople protested, blacklisted Prudence, and passed a law that made out-of-state students i...more
While this book was intended for young readers it is informative and interesting enough to hold the attention of an adult. It is quite a short read which takes a bit away from the enjoyment but aside from that there isn't a lot to complain about. It isn't dry like some biographies tend to be. It gets a 4 out of 5.
I learned some interesting things about this remarkable school teacher, Prudence Crandall. Despite opposition, she went ahead to start a private school for black young women. Many of her students themselves went on to be prevalent educators and supporters of education for blacks. This was written for the teenage audience and included pictures to enhance the story.
This book was a quick read and fascinating. I liked the easy flow of the story line. I had never heard of Prudence Crandall and I was impressed with her perseverance in teaching young women of "color." What a heart-warming story of early support of equal access to education for all races.
Very good historical non-fiction. Interesting information about Prudence Crandall and also, the situation of blacks regarding education (both in the north and the south). Probably too long, with too much description for my struggling readers. Good theme of valuing education!
This book was interesting, and I learned a lot about the 1800's, and how brave Prudence Crandall was. I have a difficult time connecting with such a different lifetime, which is why historical fiction is a difficult genre for me. Realistic Fiction is my favorite choice!
This was a fascinating book I might never have come across if I hadn't decided to read a bunch of previous year titles from ALSC's Notable Children's Books. This one made the list in 2006 and was well worth the read. Prudence Crandall was a very interesting woman, and the story of her school and her students is powerfully told.
Great book for black history month---story of a teacher who originally started a girls boarding school and later changed this to a black female boarding school and the persecution she suffers for this.
Prudence Crandall rocks! She opened a school for black girls back when the idea was unheard of. This book tells the incredible (and sometimes crazy) story.
This story about Prudence Crandall should be told in every classroom in America. It is a wonderful account of bravery and courage.
Very well written story of Prudence Crandall and Her Schoolhouse and their fight for freedom.
I realize I am a sucker for the underdog--maybe that's why I liked this story so much.
This book is the story of a young, single, white woman named Prudence Crandall who is presented with the opportunity to educate young, black girls in the early 1800s Connecticut--and takes it.
This book is the story of a young, single, white woman named Prudence Crandall who is presented with the opportunity to educate young, black girls in the early 1800s Connecticut--and takes it.
How can people be so mean to each other? I hope I would be as brave as those this book talks about.
it was the worst book i ever read
Prudence Crandell had a boarding school for young white girls in 1831. Her maid Sarah asked if she could sit in on the classes. Prudence believed that she should, but she knew that a black girl in class with the others would cause an uproar. And if she was gonna lose her school over 1 black student, why not twenty. She went to trial for breaking made-up laws, even stayed in jail. Eventually, due to safety reasons, she closed her school though she never gave up fighting for other people's rights.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
