Alec's Primer

by Mildred Pitts Walter, Larry Johnson (Illustrator)

As a young boy born into slavery in Virginia, Alec Turner was forbidden to learn to read. Naturally he was frightened when Zephie, his owner's granddaughter, first offered to teach him, but she told him that if he learned to read, he could become a free man. As Alec mastered the alphabet from a small primer, Zephie lit in him a spark of hope, which became a flame.

Alec's Primer is based on the true story of Alec Turner (1845-1923), who learned to read and, eventually, just as Zephie predicted, became a free man. Traveling to Vermont where he established his home and became a landowner, Alec kept his cherished primer with him throughout his life. Years later, Alec's daughter Daisy told his dramatic tale of defiance and endurance to the Vermont Folklife Center. Mildred Pitts Walter and Larry Johnson have transformed Alec's powerful story into an engrossing picture book that affords young readers an authentic lens through which to view history.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Delegate to the 2nd World Black and African Festival of the Arts & Culture in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1977. Graduate of Southern University with an MA in education from Antioch College. She lives in Denver, Colorado, and travels widely as an educational consultant.

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer]

Alec is a slave whose mistress, young Miss Zephie, is teaching him something forbidden--how to read. I loved the story, though I thought it was told a bit awkwardly. It didn't flow just right. And, while Alec is 5 when the story starts, toward the end of the story he is "old enough to be free", but we don't know how old. I think the passage of time wasn't made clear, and that's what interrupted the flow. I also wasn't fond of the illustrations.

It's based on the true story of Alec Turner, a slave who ran away and joined the Union Army during the Civil War. Eventually he ended up in Vermont, where the primer he learned from was passed down to his daughter. There is a photo of the Alec Turner at the back of the book. I enjoyed the story, but not how it was told or the pictures. The information at the back about the real Alec saved it for me. Very interesting.

[Alexandra "Alec"]

I first grabbed this book off the shelf while looking at picture books for another class. Since my name is in the title, I wanted to read it. The book turned out to be interesting because it is based on a true story. The Vermont Folklife Center has a series of children's books that are based on real Americans. This book discusses the subject of slavery and literacy. I think it would be great for the classroom because it gives an individual's true story of life as a child slave. There is information and pictures on the real Alec Turner at the end of the book.

[Cassandra Chandria]

The most inspiring book I've ever seen. It's nice reading this amazing and inspiring book. 4 stars! ✨
This is good for children to read too. Very inspiring and note that this book is based on a true to life story.

[Katie Nanney]

This book reminded me that there is so much of history that we do not know. I knew nothing about Alec before reading this book and I really enjoyed learning about him. The pictures told the story beautifully and I liked how the story made history interesting. I would recommend this book for anyone 3rd grade and up, especially if he or she likes history.

[Kelly]

While I like that this is based on a true story, I found the storytelling itself too simplistic, lacking in transition. The information in the author's note is great, and the illustrations were lovely.

[Michelle Odenbaugh]

Great book about a little girl teaching a slave to read!

[McKayla]

I enjoyed this book! Some of the transitions in the book were not clear. Besides that, I loved that this was based on a true story!

[Andrea Labonte]

These books are the best. You must read the A Vermont Folklife center books.

[Cathy]

True Story pair this book with Daisy and the Doll by Michael and Angela Shelf Medearis.