Worthy
The Brave and Capable Life of Joseph Pierce
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Discover the incredible true story of Joseph Pierce, a lesser-known yet pivotal figure of the Civil War, in this inspiring picture book biography.
Born in Canton, China, Joseph Pierce's journey began when he was traded for six silver coins as a child. He embarked on a months-long voyage to Connecticut, where he was raised by a ship captain and his family in the 1850s. Despite facing discrimination and racism, Joseph was determined to prove his worth. He enlisted in the Union Army, fighting bravely in key battles such as Gettysburg, Antietam, and Appomattox, and ultimately became an American citizen and a true American hero.
Award-winning author Andrea Wang's meticulous research, combined with Youa Vang's stunning and cinematic illustrations, illuminates Pierce's life as an inspirational testament to the enduring struggle for human dignity and worth. This powerful story weaves together history, representation, and resilience, offering a unique perspective on the Civil War and the challenges faced by Chinese Americans in the 19th century.
Reasons to pick up Worthy:
Award-winning author: Andrea Wang, author of Watercress, a Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor recipient.Introducing a new illustrator: Youa Vang creates evocative artwork with the meticulous detail of an oil painter.Hidden history: A thoughtfully researched and beautifully told story of Joe Pierce, the only Chinese soldier in the 14th Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.Triumph over discrimination: A real-life hero who overcame anti-Chinese prejudice to become an American war veteran and citizen.Perfect for AAPI Heritage Month or "Hidden History" displays, Worthy is a valuable addition to any collection for readers interested in the Civil War, lesser-known Asian-American luminaries, and stories of courage and integrity.
Praise for Worthy:
"A thought-provoking account of courage and integrity in the face of discrimination." — Kirkus Reviews
★ "Wang’s well-researched writing, including a timeline and supporting resources, and Vang’s evocative illustrations illuminate Pierce’s life as an inspirational testament to the enduring struggle for human dignity and worth." — Booklist (starred review)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Enslaved as a child to a white American sea captain, a Chinese youth seeking to prove himself "worthy" must eventually grapple with whether "America was worthy of him" in this extended picture book biography from Wang (Watercress). Though his name has been lost to history, the boy (1842–1916), called Joe by the captain and crew, is taken from Canton, China, aboard a ship transporting enslaved Chinese men to sugar plantations in Cuba. On the ship, Joe learns to cook, delivers messages, and "tried to prove that he could do more than cut sugarcane." Upon landing, the captain takes Joe home to his Connecticut farm, where the boy is renamed Joseph Pierce and "almost" treated like a member of the family. He attends school and labors on the farm before enlisting to fight in the Civil War, seeking to both "prove his worth" and become a U.S. citizen. In sweeping landscapes and visually detailed group scenes, debut illustrator Vang's digitally finished acrylic paintings vividly re-create the time period in this history of a man facing "hardship with courage, integrity, and dignity"—a work that recognizes each person's inherent worth. Back matter includes a timeline and author's note. Ages 4–8. Author's agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary.
