By Zora Neale Hurston
Adapted by Ibram X. Kendi
Illustrated by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson
5 stars
A fantastic historical text adapted for young readers. Barracoon tells the story of Kossola (Cudjo Lewis), one of the men who was brought to America on the last slave ship, Clotilda. The story follows Kossola’s life in Africa, his capture, the journey to America, his enslavement, his family life, helping to found Africatown, and his growing friendship with Zora Neale Hurston.
The book covers many topics including loss of loved ones, religion, discrimination, friendship, and grief.
Difficult to read at times, this book is a fantastic way for young readers to put a face to history when learning about the slave trade, the history of slavery in America, and its aftermath. The book does not shy away from the horrific treatment of African people and the continued discrimination after the abolition of slavery in America.
Kendi wonderfully adapts Hurston’s original text, presenting Kossola’s life as well as the friendship between Kossola and Hurston. A nice balance of capturing Kossola’s speech patterns while making the text readable and easy to understand for young readers.
Wonderful artwork that really captures the joy, sorrow, fear, and heartbreak of the text. The art style really plays into the themes of memory and reflection.
A truly powerful story and a remarkable adaptation.