Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free
The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Booklist starred review
Black activist Opal Lee had a vision of Juneteenth as a holiday for everyone. This true story celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many Americans had never heard of the holiday. Join Opal on her historic journey to recognize and celebrate "freedom for all."
Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic—a drumming, dancing, delicious party. She knew from Granddaddy Zak's stories that Juneteenth celebrated the day the freedom news of President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation finally sailed into Texas in 1865—over two years after the president had declared it! But Opal didn't always see freedom in her Texas town. Then one Juneteenth day when Opal was twelve years old, an angry crowd burned down her brand-new home. This wasn't freedom at all. She had to do something! But could one person’s voice make a difference? Could Opal bring about national recognition of Juneteenth? Follow Opal Lee as she fights to improve the future by honoring the past.
Through the story of Opal Lee's determination and persistence, children ages 4 to 8 will learn:
all people are created equalthe power of bravery and using your voice for changethe history of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, and what it means todayno one is free unless everyone is freefighting for a dream is worth the difficulty experienced along the way
Featuring the illustrations of New York Times bestselling illustrator Keturah A. Bobo (I am Enough), Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan celebrates the life and legacy of a modern-day Black leader while sharing a message of hope, unity, joy, and strength.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Deepen your understanding of the true meaning of Juneteenth by getting to know the woman who made it a national celebration. This heartfelt children’s book begins at a Juneteenth party where we meet Opal Lee, a real person born in Texas in 1926. A group of children ask her what exactly they’re celebrating, and Opal explains—in terms perfectly suited for young readers—about the unfairness of slavery and why it was so important when news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Texas on June 19, 1865. Author Alice Faye Duncan approaches this important topic in a way that’s gentle and informative, helped in no small part by Keturah A. Bobo’s sweet, lively illustrations. There’s even a glossary, an epilogue about Opal’s cross-country mission to enshrine Juneteenth as a holiday, and a recipe for a symbolic Juneteenth red punch. This is a perfect primer for readers of any age.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Duncan introduces Opal Lee (b. 1926), a Black activist and storyteller known as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" because of her work to make Juneteenth a nationally recognized holiday, including—per back matter—her cross-country U.S. walk to collect petition signatures. The picture book's framing features Lee telling stories "of yesteryear" to her great-grandson Buddy and a group of children with varying skin tones. Lee first relays the history of slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation, then tells about Juneteenth when she was a child in the Jim Crow era, when "an angry mob with flaming sticks burned my family's brand-new house." Throughout, multiple refrains remind readers to "Remember my words for safekeeping. Remember what I say. Juneteenth is bigger than Texas, singing, or dancing bands. Juneteenth is freedom rising. And freedom is for everyone." Though there are some outmoded word choices (including slave as a noun), Bobo's art focuses on expressive figures, portrayed against largely simple backgrounds, in this paean to Juneteenth and oral tradition. Back matter includes more about Lee, a recipe for Juneteenth "Red Punch" Strawberry Lemonade, a Juneteenth timeline, and sources. Ages 4–8.
