Journey to a Promised Land: A Story of the Exodusters by Allison Lassieur

Journey to a Promised Land: A Story of the Exodusters Reviews

• 
  jv poore

  Hattie has a dream. A far-reaching fantasy, some would say, but she knows she can find a way. She will become a teacher.
  
  The spring of 1879 tried to bring a fresh start to a new world in Nashville, Tennessee. Although each of Hattie’s parents had been born into slavery, both obtained an education immediately following the Civil War. Her father works just as hard today, but for it is himself and his family and in his very own black-smith shop. Her mother happily runs the household and Hattie contributes, too. Not only a stand-out student, she also earns money for her family by mending for Miss Bradford.
  
  It’s a good enough life for Hattie. She knows, of course, that recently, black folks have been joining together to make the journey to Kansas. Tales of towns with nothing but black faces tempt her parents and Mr. Singleton sure has been working hard to convince her family to make the move to Nicodemus, a small town being established and in need of a blacksmith.
  
  It isn’t until her father leaves the house for a meeting about the potential move that it hits Hattie. She’s heard stories of what happens to black men who dare attend these gatherings. And suddenly, she is scared for her father. After seeing him on the receiving end of retaliation—Nat had the audacity to charge a white man for his work—Hattie understands the very real danger they are in.
  
  Loathe to miss school, Hattie could not have imagined the education she would receive during her journey. Seeing the stark differences between the group of black travelers when compared to almost every clump of white men, was a shock. Whereas individual black people intuitively worked towards the greater good of their party, sharing the last crumbs and caring for those in need; the freakish faction of inexplicably angry, willfully ignorant and hella hateful white men appeared to unite solely to terrorize black citizens.
  
  I wish I could put a copy of this heroic historical fiction in every single classroom. It is that good and unquestionably, that vital. Although Hattie’s family may be a figment of the author’s imagination, Benjamin “Pap” Singleton was very real and invaluably instrumental in helping hundreds of African Americans move from Tennessee to Kansas.
  
  Ms. Lassieur shares this story of the Exodusters by popping the reader right into the mule-driven wagon to bear witness to the atrocious, senseless acts against black people. But she also demonstrates the intuitive kindness, generosity and strength of each and every black person, automatically reminding everyone to continue the good fight. Oh, and I can’t wait for you to find out why the emigrants were dubbed “Exodusters”.
  
  This review was written by jv poore for Buried Under Books, with special thanks to North Star Editions for the Advance Review Copy.
• 
  Camille

  I read a lot about pioneers and the settlement in the American West. But believe it or not, I had never heard of the Exodusters, not once. So in this respect "Journey to a Promised Land" was a very interesting read. I liked the historical note at the end that expanded on the topic of the Exodusters. It made me want to read more about it.
  
  It's also an excellent Middle Grade book. You can tell the author is a skilled writer. It's well written, with the right amount of character and situation building, and it's perfectly paced. The illustrations are also beautiful.
  
  I would have been delighted to read such a book when I was in Middle Grade, but I also really enjoyed it now as as adult.
  
  Disclaimer - I received a free digital copy courtesy of Jolly Fish Press / North Star Editions through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
• 
  Emily

  I loved this book. I'm a homeschool teacher and this is one of those books that could be so essential to classrooms to get children educated about something that is still very real to events happening today, and is so, so important for them to learn. This book was easy to read, but still gripping. I found myself gasping out loud a few times as I rooted so hard for the protagonist and her family. This is a book that has to be read. This is a part of American history that needs to be taught and known by more people. I would recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars.
• 
  Vi

  Enlightening, historical quick read of the migration of African Americans after the Civil War. Told from a child's perspective, it is a great beginning read. Times were hard and there are many books written; not many highlighting the African Americans struggle. Entertaining and educational. An excellent read for the classroom.
  Voluntarily read ARC for honest review.
• 
  Laura

  After the American Civil War ended, many Black people found that they could not live int he former slave states, even though they were free. And although I had heard about the great migration of blacks during World War II, to get better jobs in the North, I had not heard of a mass exodus just after the Civil War, though that would make sense.
  
  This would be a good story to read along the Little House in the Prairie books, as this is a different view of the settling of the prairie, and the another group of pioneers.
  
  Some things were predictable, such as when Hattie's father pisses off a white man, his blacksmith shop is set ablaze.
  
  The story is well researched, and I enjoyed the story of Hattie and the Exodusters, as they were called.
  
  Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
• 
  Michelle Kidwell

  Journey to a Promised Land
  A Story of the Exodusters
  by Allison Lassieur
  
  North Star Editions
  Jolly Fish Press
  Historical Fiction , Middle Grade
  Pub Date 01 Jan 2019
  
  
  
  I am reviewing Journey To A Promised Land Through North Star Editions and Netgalle:
  
  
  Hattie Jacobs dreams of being a teacher one day. But her parents were former slaves who were struggling simply to survive. They struggled to make ends meet in Nashville Tennessee after the Reconstruction. In 1879 her family decides to join the Exodus to Kansas after her Father’s shop is purposely burned down. The journey to Kansas is not easy and full of hardship?
  
  
  Will they even make it to Kansas?
  
  This book is a great read and one I would recommend for Middle Grade Girl who is interested in historical fiction.
  
  
  I give Journey to the Promised Land five out of five stars
  
  
  
  Happy Reading
• 
  Kathy KS

  Nice junior fiction about the Exodusters, as seen through the eyes of a young black girl in 1879. Her story also uses diary entries and letters to a friend to show how the family decides to leave Nashville, Tennessee, and travel to Nicodemus, Kansas, to live in an all-black town being settled. The book illustrates some of the problems the family was attempting to leave behind in post-war Tennessee, as well as problems encountered on the trip. Finally, the arrival at Nicodemus and a follow-up showing how things are going after a year finish the story. It's a good introduction to this part of history for young readers.
• 
  Read-n-Bloom

  I loved this book. Loved the characters, Papa, Mama, Hattie and all the rest. The author was writing about the Exodus of African Americans from the South to the North after the Civil War. The story was fiction but was a true account of what happened during that time. I hate everything that happened and I’m glad Abraham Lincoln finally stood and said this needs to stop. This is a blight on our beloved America. I thank #NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review #JourneytoaPromisedLand . My reviews are my own.
• 
  Andrew Daniel

  Can't read this book
• 
  E.M.

  "Journey to a Promised Land" focuses on Hattie Jacobs who dreams of the opportunity of attending school and becoming a teacher. After facing much hardship in post-war Tennessee (Hattie's parents were once enslaved), the family joins the Great Exodus and moves to Kansas were the Jacobs must adapt and start from scratch.
  
  My thoughts? By using a piece of untold American history, Lassieur was able to create a book for young readers that I feel can be used in the classroom to answer questions about African-American history and racism.
  
  "Journey to a Promised Land" is not an Own Voices book, but the author and publishing company did write it with the consultation of African-American history expert Dr. Sharlene Sinegal-DeCuir from Xavier University of Louisiana. And as you read you can tell that much care went into every single page of the story.
  
  Hattie is a wonderful protagonist and her story creates an opportunity for elementary level classrooms to tackle important issues in a way that is understandable for young readers such as:
  
  -Why certain historical symbols can be seen as symbols of hate
  -Why free did not mean equal.
  -How the status quo served as a barrier against social progress for recently freed African-Americans. And still serves as a barrier to many minorities today.
  -Black History Month isn't just February. There's so much to explore that isn't often taught and Hattie's story and experiences show that.
  -...and a few more issues, but that would involve spoilers and we don't want that.
  
  I truly enjoyed the story and was impressed by the care and research that went into it. Highly recommend it.
  
  (Original post:
  https://bookish-ramblings.weebly.com/...)
• 
  AKHarrell Writes

  I discovered "Journey to a Promised Land: A Story of the Exodusters" written by Allison Lassieur while researching reference materials regarding the Great Exodus (aka, Exoduster Movement).
  
  The fictional story is based on the journey of Hattie Jacobs, her family, and other characters during their lives following Reconstruction. As Hattie dreams of her future life in a well-known and honorable profession, her life becomes uprooted after trouble brews into a situation over which she has no control. This begins an adventure from the South to the West that no one, especially Hattie, could ever imagine. Showing wisdom well beyond her years, Hattie resolves problems to assist her family through issues not readily resolved (even by adults).
  
  Throughout her story, Allison Lassieur introduces us to a remarkable child heroine that teaches the important lesson of listening to our hearts and minds to endure unbelievable circumstances until we arrive (finally) in our promised land. Although introduced as a children's book (ages 8-12yrs), the information provided was informative (akin to many works on the subject found within “adult” reference materials). The difference? It's based on a child's wondrous ability to see a subject differently than an adult (and to use that ability to devise resolutions to issues even adults could not envision).
  
  The novel is excellent for children of this age as it begins the critical conversation of an especially important (yet sensitive) event following the Reconstruction Era; one of which many African Americans experienced. Lassieur dives deep into the core of at least one (and more likely, even more) African American child's mental and emotional conflicts regarding this rarely taught historic event to weave together a delightful and candid story most children (AND adults) can identify, understand, and/or learn. Because of a subsequent event (stated within the author's notes AND because I’m reluctant to give any spoilers), the ONLY reason I could not rate the book a 5-star was based on my desire to know what happened within the characters' lives based on the event. A sequel maybe? I hope!
  
  I would highly recommend "Journey to a Promised Land" for its frankness and simplicity in explaining a forgotten story to children (and adults alike) regarding the Great Exodus.
• 
  Jenni Crowley

  Quick read about the Exodusters to Kansas. Follows a story of a freed slave family getting to the promised free farm land. Sweet story.
• 
  Joey

  What a wonderful part of history to share, I’d not heard of this part of history before which really makes me sad, I wish I had of learnt about it sooner.
  
  Hattie had big dreams for herself, her parents also had big dreams as did many people from their community. When it is no long safe for them they up root with other exodusters on a very dangerous journey to head to free land set aside just for them.
  
  It was written in such a perfect way, the story was so engaging and the characters were written really well. It shares the truth about this part of history that even though the slavery years had long since gone, they were still not aloud to live free as some white man didn’t want them around. Which is so horrific.
  
  I must say though reading the historical section at the back of the book which I love that it was included made me very sad to hear that the land they’d dreamt of was dry and un-liveable the people that moved there for freedom and a dream were not able to farm on it easily.
  
  I really enjoyed this book, I love how educational they are, they teach of a real time, of a realistic family during this time, these books though aimed to educate children and brilliant to also educate adults.
• 
  Ane Margaux

  I simply love this book. It was short and sweet and as a woman of color it was really great to read a fiction novel based on historical facts that shed light on a time rhat’s really in a grey area for most black Americans. I loved the main character, Hattie. She was so full of life and bravery. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes is really so insightful. I would definitely buy this for some of the young school children I know. It definitely makes me want to look into/educate myself on this time in history. Brava, Allison!
• 
  Trick Wiley

  Really nice little story but for me not that big of deal just another story about black slaves and how they struggled. A lot of people struggled back then it wasn't just the blacks! Just say too many of these kinds of books!
• 
  Nicole

  Journey to a Promised Land by Allison Lassieur is the story about a girl named Hattie. The spring of 1879 tried to bring a fresh start to a new world in Nashville, Tennessee. Although each of Hattie’s parents had been born into slavery, both obtained an education immediately following the Civil War. Her father works just as hard today, but for it is himself and his family and in his very own black-smith shop. Her mother happily runs the household and Hattie contributes, too. Not only a stand-out student, she also earns money for her family by mending for Miss Bradford.
  
  After the American Civil War ended, many Black people found that they could not live int he former slave states, even though they were free. And although I had heard about the great migration of blacks during World War II, to get better jobs in the North, I had not heard of a mass exodus just after the Civil War, though that would make sense. I liked the historical note at the end that expanded on the topic of the Exodusters. It made me want to read more about it.
  
  It’s also an excellent Middle Grade book. You can tell the author is a skilled writer. It’s well written, with the right amount of character and situation building, and it’s perfectly paced. The illustrations are also beautiful.
  
  I received a ARC from North Star Editions and Jolly Fish Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.