First published 2016
Toiling under the lash, slaves in 1800s New Orleans dream of Sundays, when they can gather at Congo Square. Here, their bodies and spirits soar as they sing, dance, and play music—the only time they're truly free. But this refuge is under threat, as white authorities seek to crush their culture and quell their hope. In lyrical verse and vivid illustrations, Freedom in Congo Square celebrates the strength, resilience, and humanity of an oppressed people who find liberation in the universal language of art.
Genres: art, historical-fiction, african-american, 19th-century, african-american-historical-fiction
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, lyrical
Tropes: found-family, resilience
Period: 19th-Century
Paperback · scholastic
Content warnings: slavery