First published 2022
Kirsti Jewel explores the significance of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating slavery's end in America. She begins with June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas heard a Union soldier announce their freedom. The forced labor system without compensation had become illegal throughout the United States. The newly freed men, women, and children responded with jumping, dancing, and joyful tears. Their spontaneous celebration grew into an annual tradition observed by increasing numbers of Americans. Jewel presents stories from Juneteenth festivities across different time periods and examines the historical events that created this celebration of liberty. The book includes eighty black and white illustrations plus a sixteen page photo section. Readers learn how an moment of liberation in Texas evolved into a day of national remembrance and joy.
Genres: history, african-american, non-fiction, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, non-fiction
Setting: Texas, United States
Period: June 19, 1865, 19th-century
112 pages · Paperback · Penguin Workshop