Prisoner for Liberty

From the Series On My Own History

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

James Forten knew how important freedom was. He was a free African American born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When the American Revolution started in 1776, James was too young to help fight for freedom from British rule. But in 1781, at age fifteen, he took a job on the Royal Louis, an American ship. A British warship soon captured the Royal Louis. James was taken prisoner. The British often sold African American prisoners into slavery. What would happen to James? Would he ever see his family again?

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978-0-8225-9022-4
$8.99
978-0-7613-4022-5
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diversity
Copyright 2008
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Brand On My Own Books
Imprint First Avenue Editions ™, Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 48
Publication Date 2008-01-01
Reading Counts! Level 2.5
Reading Counts! Points 3.0
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007020, JNF018010, JNF025190
Dewey 973.3'71092
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 5.875 x 8.5
Lexile 570
Guided Reading Level O
ATOS Reading Level 3.3
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 119038
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Afterword, Author/Illustrator note, Bibliography/further reading, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Marty Rhodes Figley

Marty Rhodes Figley is the author of sixteen books, mostly about her favorite subject—remarkable people from our country's past. She earned her B.A. in American Studies from Mount Holyoke College. Marty, whose two children are grown, lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Paul, and their Airedale terrier, Scarlett.

Illustrator: Craig Orback

Craig Orback is a freelance children's book illustrator living in the Northwest and received his B.F.A. in illustration from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle in 1998. He has illustrated Nature's Paintbox, The Can Man, Keeping The Promise: A Torah's Journey, and other award-winning children's books. He teaches children's book illustration and oil painting at several local colleges. In his free time he enjoys painting landscapes and sharing his books with kids during school and library visits.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

On My Own History

With striking, full-page illustrations, real and fictionalized characters, and stories featuring events that really happened, these books capture readers’ interest and imagination. View available downloads →

Reviews

Booklist

“This inspiring, personal story will help draw early readers into U.S. history.”
Booklist

The Horn Book Guide

“The realistic illustrations give life to Forten’s tale.”
The Horn Book Guide

School Library Journal

“Although there may be fictionalization, a bibliography with primary sources suggests the depth of the author’s research. Orback’s paintings add to the narrative’s dramatic moments and provide period details. . .”
School Library Journal