The Wagon

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Summary: Born a slave, a boy is freed at the end of the Civil War.
Review: A twelve year old boy experiences the joy and pain of freedom when the Civil War ends, he and his family are set free, and Lincoln is assassinated. The cadence of the language evokes the rhythm of a spiritual and the illustrations provide rich interpretation of the story. Winner of the Simon Wiesenthal Children's Book Award, The Wagon is a valuable addition to school libraries. The quiet dignity of the family, the social justice of freedom counterbalanced by the tragic assassination of Lincoln, and the search for a new life are ever important themes to present to children.