Sound the Jubilee

Sound the Jubliee #1

by Sandra Forrester

During the Civil War, Maddie, a young slave girl, and her family escape to freedom on Roanoke Island, where they and three thousand other former slaves develop an experimental community that ekes out a harsh existence as an island colony.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Civil War

Paperback

First published February 1, 1995

About the author

Sandra Forrester is the author of Sound the Jubilee (Dutton) and My Home Is Over Jordan, both National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies.
She has a master's degree in library and information studies and lives in Alabama.

Reviews

[Anne Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This engaging YA book follows a slave family from the plantation where they were enslaved to Roanoke Island where they lived as free people until after the Emancipation Proclamation and the restoration of the land on Roanoke Island to the Southerners from whom it was seized. Hitting on all aspects of life for those of ethnically-African origins, it discusses in story form such facts as the then-legal ownership by Southern plantation owners, the cruelty that was often meted upon them, lack of education, and the desire to be masters of their own destiny. It continues with an exposé of the continuing degradation levied on them by some of their ethnically-European liberators.

This book could serve as an interesting prompt for discussion among today's youth on both the progress made for equality and the need for continuing progress in that regard for all minorities in U.S. society that continues to exist today. Well-written and historically accurate, even adults will find it illuminating.

[Shauna Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie and her family were African-American slaves. They and several other families lived and worked on the McCartha plantation. When there is rumor of the bluecoats approaching, the Master and Mistress flee to their summer house, taking with them Maddie and her family. After sometime had pass, Maddie and her family finally escape to Roanoke Island. The Yankees were helpful and assisted them in building a new life of freedom. The runaway slaves built a community on the Island. The white Yankee’s were willing to help the black slaves start a new life.

After being slaves, Maddie and her family started their new life on Roanoke Island as free African-Americans. While in slavery, they were told what to do. Now, they had their freedom. They didn’t have to take orders from anyone. Maddie and her family finally received their freedom just like the master and mistress whom they previously served. This book turned out to be much better than I expected.

I think this was a great book. It had a lot of turns and twists. I couldn’t put it down. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading books with turns and twists, action, or African-American/black history.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

For book, that was written for readers in grades. 5 through 8, it was quite interesting. It talks about a little known bit of our history. A Colony of dep that was developed during the Civil War. For freed slaves in the south, I will definitely read the other book that goes with this series.

[wanderer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice historical setting, interesting characters, way too much summarizing and too few scenes.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sound the Jubilee
Sandra Forrester
This book is about a girl named Maddie, who is a slave. It's about how her family is talking about being freed but then her owner takes them to her summer home. But then they turn Roanoke island into a slave runaway and so they finally have there chance to be free. Also how tough life of being a slave is. Then they finally escape and everything is not what it seemed like to little Maddie.
I really loved this book because it really described her life and you felt like you were her, you felt all of her emotions. It was really cool.
I recommend this book for people 13+ because some of the things that she went through were really disturbing about the life of a slave.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 5-8 183pgs


Civil War, River Bend Plantation / Roanoke Island, N Carolina. 11 year old Maddie doesn't understand why her mother doesn't want her father to meet with other slaves who want to talk about escaping to freedom. Unlike her mother and sister, Mistress is never satisfied with Maddie's work as a house slave and is always criticizing her. As the Union soldiers get closer, Mistress takes Maddie and her family to Roanoke Island believing they'll be "safe" from Union soldiers there. Taken from the familiar surroundings of the plantation, Maddie wonders if it is better to stay, as her mother thinks, or escape to freedom.

Interesting story with good characters.

[Bree Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over my lunch breaks at work, then when I realized that it was taking WAY too long to finish, I brought it home and completed it the next day. It's a very interesting book about a slave family during the Civil War. The characters were fleshed out and I wasn't able to predict the ending (which is really good considering my mind has a tendency to jump ahead). Although it's more of a juvenile book, I think anyone could find it to be a great story!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much shame associated with the treatment of black people by those who thought they were better. It eases my mind to know there were good people who knew better and acted accordingly, and people like William Wilberforce, who dedicated their lives to end slavery.

[Michaela Marcinik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and will save this to have my children read. It's a heart wrenching story about slaves getting free and fleeing to start a life of their own. It's about hardships and loss. A great book if your into historical fiction.

[McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book...wasn't a fan of the ending though.