This illustrated historical chapter book introduces young readers to some of the very first African Americans, who came to American in the early seventeenth century. In 1619, twenty Africans stepped foot on American soil as indentured servants. They came with dreams of the future, knowing if they could hold on and finish out their sentences, they would be free. Who were they, how did they get here, and did their lives go the way they imagined? Details of their stories have been lost over time but what remains is an important piece of American history. Gr. 5-8. The McKissacks take on a difficult and disturbing subject in this small history in the Milestone Books series, an account of the very first Africans who came to this country in the early seventeenth century: who they were, why they came, and what happened to them and their descendants. It is clear throughout how difficult it is to know what really happened ("probably" is a frequent qualifier in the text), but that's all part of the important story, "the facts blurred by centuries of neglect." What is known is that the first black citizens were not slaves, but indentured servants, like many whites. One fascinating chapter focuses on Anthony Johnson, who married a black woman and raised a free, successful family. But then racism became the law, and made only the blacks permanent slaves. The type is big and clear, with occasional black-and-white illustrations, but middle-graders will need adult help with the sweeping history, which includes an overview of slavery around the world. There's a useful list of "Virtual Visits" to four Web sites, including one on Anthony Johnson. Hazel Rochman Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Patricia C. McKissack is the author of many highly acclaimed books for children, including Goin' Someplace Special, a Coretta Scott King Award winner; The Honest-to-Goodness Truth; Let My People Go, written with her husband, Fredrick, and recipient of the NAACP Image Award; The Dark-Thirty, a Newbery Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Award winner; and Mirandy and Brother Wind, recipient of the Caldecott Medal and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Fredrick McKissack has nearly twenty years experience as a writer and an editor. His articles, op-eds, and reviews have been published in The Washington Post, Vibe magazine, and others. He lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his wife, Lisa, and their son, Mark. An award-winning, freelance artist-illustrator since 1973, Joseph Daniel Fiedler has produced art and illustrations that have appeared in numerous publications and exhibitions. Fiedler has illustrated children’s books and received a Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators of New York. Fiedler’s personal paintings have been exhibited at galleries in Germany, Japan, and throughout the United States. He has taught painting and illustration at Carnegie Mellon University and the College for Creative Studies. Fiedler has lived in Pennsylvania, Japan, New Mexico, and Michigan and now resides in Grass Valley, California. Learn more about Joseph Daniel Fiedler at ScaryJoey.com. Used Book in Good Condition