Cover Image

Opal Lee and what it means to be free : the true story of the grandmother of Juneteenth

by Duncan, Alice Faye,

Format: Print Book 2022
Availability: Available at 11 Libraries 11 of 13 copies

Available (11)
Location Collection Call #
Andrew Bayne Memorial Library Juvenile Biography J 92 LEE
Location  Andrew Bayne Memorial Library
 
Collection  Juvenile Biography
 
Call Number  J 92 LEE
 
 
Carnegie Library of Homestead Children Non Fiction J 92 Lee
Location  Carnegie Library of Homestead
 
Collection  Children Non Fiction
 
Call Number  J 92 Lee
 
 
Hampton Community Library Juvenile Picture Book MY LEARNING WORLD JPIC DUNCAN
Location  Hampton Community Library
 
Collection  Juvenile Picture Book
 
Call Number  MY LEARNING WORLD JPIC DUNCAN
 
 
Jefferson Hills Public Library Juv Biography E 92 DUN
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Collection  Juv Biography
 
Call Number  E 92 DUN
 
 
Monroeville Public Library Juvenile Non-fiction J E 92 LEE
Location  Monroeville Public Library
 
Collection  Juvenile Non-fiction
 
Call Number  J E 92 LEE
 
 
Mt. Lebanon Public Library Children's Holiday j 92L LEE Dun
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Collection  Children's Holiday
 
Call Number  j 92L LEE Dun
 
 
Penn Hills Library Juvenile Non-Fiction CHILDREN BIO LEE
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Collection  Juvenile Non-Fiction
 
Call Number  CHILDREN BIO LEE
 
 
Plum Community Library Juvenile Biography J 92 LEE
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Collection  Juvenile Biography
 
Call Number  J 92 LEE
 
 
Scott Township Library New Material J B LEE
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Call Number  J B LEE
 
 
Sewickley Public Library Juvenile New Books  J B LEE 2021
Location  Sewickley Public Library
 
Collection  Juvenile New Books 
 
Call Number  J B LEE 2021
 
 
South Fayette Township Library Picture Book - Informational J I BIOGRAPHY LEE
Location  South Fayette Township Library
 
Collection  Picture Book - Informational
 
Call Number  J I BIOGRAPHY LEE
 
 
 
Unavailable (2)
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Clairton Public Library Junior Biography CHECKED OUT
Location  Clairton Public Library
 
Collection  Junior Biography
 
Status  CHECKED OUT
 
 
Northland Public Library Children's Biography CHECKED OUT
Location  Northland Public Library
 
Collection  Children's Biography
 
Status  CHECKED OUT
 
 
 
On Order (18)
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CLP - Allegheny Regional Children's Seasonal/Holiday IN PROCESSING
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Collection  Children's Seasonal/Holiday
 
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CLP - Main Library Children's Department - Seasonal/Holiday IN PROCESSING
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Summary


Booklist starred review

Black activist Opal Lee had a vision of Juneteenth as a holiday for everyone. This true story celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many Americans had never heard of the holiday. Join Opal on her historic journey to recognize and celebrate "freedom for all."

Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic--a drumming, dancing, delicious party. She knew from Granddaddy Zak's stories that Juneteenth celebrated the day the freedom news of President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation finally sailed into Texas in 1865--over two years after the president had declared it! But Opal didn't always see freedom in her Texas town. Then one Juneteenth day when Opal was twelve years old, an angry crowd burned down her brand-new home. This wasn't freedom at all. She had to do something! But could one person's voice make a difference Could Opal bring about national recognition of Juneteenth Follow Opal Lee as she fights to improve the future by honoring the past.

Through the story of Opal Lee's determination and persistence, children ages 4 to 8 will learn:

all people are created equal the power of bravery and using your voice for change the history of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, and what it means today no one is free unless everyone is free fighting for a dream is worth the difficulty experienced along the way

Featuring the illustrations of New York Times bestselling illustrator Keturah A. Bobo (I am Enough), Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan celebrates the life and legacy of a modern-day Black leader while sharing a message of hope, unity, joy, and strength.

Published Reviews
Booklist Review: "In the midst of a Juneteenth jubilee, Opal Lee sits beneath a tree, surrounded by children eager to hear stories of this special day. The silver-haired woman--old but vivacious--begins with the holiday's origin story, as told to her by her father. Bobo's fabulous illustrations are richly colored and have a painted, folk art flair that helps tell Juneteenth's history as the true end to slavery in the U.S. Opal Lee then recounts her own childhood as a Black girl in Jim Crow Texas, where sweet freedoms went hand in hand with painful demonstrations of racism, such as segregation practices and the burning of her family's house by an angry mob. This, she declares, is the ember that still burns in her to fight for freedom for everyone. Before sending the multiracial group of children off to enjoy the barbecue, she reminds them that "Juneteenth is freedom rising. And freedom is for everyone. Juneteenth is YOU and ME." Duncan includes a more detailed biography of Opal Lee, "the Grandmother of Juneteenth," at the story's end, which makes Lee's passion and life experiences ring all the louder in the narrative. Back matter also includes a recipe for Juneteenth Red Punch, a time line, and bibliography. A joyous account of Juneteenth's meaning that doesn't overlook the harsher aspects of history or the work that is yet to be done."
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Publisher's Weekly Review: "Duncan introduces Opal Lee (b. 1926), a Black activist and storyteller known as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" because of her work to make Juneteenth a nationally recognized holiday, including--per back matter--her cross-country U.S. walk to collect petition signatures. The picture book's framing features Lee telling stories "of yesteryear" to her great-grandson Buddy and a group of children with varying skin tones. Lee first relays the history of slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation, then tells about Juneteenth when she was a child in the Jim Crow era, when "an angry mob with flaming sticks burned my family's brand-new house." Throughout, multiple refrains remind readers to "Remember my words for safekeeping. Remember what I say. Juneteenth is bigger than Texas, singing, or dancing bands. Juneteenth is freedom rising. And freedom is for everyone." Though there are some outmoded word choices (including slave as a noun), Bobo's art focuses on expressive figures, portrayed against largely simple backgrounds, in this paean to Juneteenth and oral tradition. Back matter includes more about Lee, a recipe for Juneteenth "Red Punch" Strawberry Lemonade, a Juneteenth timeline, and sources. Ages 4--8. (Jan.)"
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Additional Information
Subjects Lee, Opal, -- 1926- -- Juvenile literature.
Lee, Opal, -- 1926-
Juneteenth -- Juvenile literature.
African American women civil rights workers -- Texas -- Juvenile literature.
African Americans -- Anniversaries, etc. -- Juvenile literature.
Slaves -- Emancipation -- Texas -- Juvenile literature.
African Americans -- Social life and customs -- Juvenile literature.
African Americans -- Texas -- History -- Juvenile literature.
African Americans -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
African American women civil rights workers -- Juvenile literature.
Slaves -- Juvenile literature.
Women -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Juneteenth.
African American women civil rights workers.
African Americans -- Anniversaries, etc.
Slaves.
African Americans -- Social life and customs.
African Americans -- Texas -- History.
African Americans -- Biography.
Women -- Biography.
Biographies.
Publisher Nashville, Tennessee :Tommy Nelson, an imprint of Thomas Nelson,2022
Other Titles True story of the grandmother of Juneteenth
Contributors Bobo, Keturah A., illustrator.
Audience Ages 4-8.
Language English
Description 1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 28 cm.
Bibliography Notes Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 9781400231256
1400231256
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