| From the Dust Jacket |
Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was more …
More than a once-enslaved abolitionist.
More than an electrifying speaker.
More than the author of that famous Narrative.
Drawing on new scholarship, nineteenth-century newspapers, a collection of Douglass’s correspondence, the Library of Congress’s Frederick Douglass Papers, and other resources, Tonya Bolden’s Facing Frederick captures what a multifaceted man he was.
Alongside the many high points in his rags-to-riches life, Facing Frederick chronicles the short-comings, controversies, and low points in the legend’s life as well.
This is the story of a great and mighty abolitionist and orator, but also of a newspaperman, women’s rights activist, statesman, diplomat, public servant, author of more than one autobiography, and lover of travel, music, and books.
And photography – Bolden uses the nineteenth century’s most photographed American’s love of photography to help tell his story. Incorporating captivating images of the icon, his family, and his colleagues along with paintings, prints, and ephemera, Bolden provides a compelling and absorbing portrait of this relentless warrior for liberty and just for all.
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Ages 13 and up | 208 pages
Hardcover | Abrams Books for Young Readers | 2018 | ISBN: 1-4197-2546-7 | EAN: 9781419725463
Ebook | Abrams Books for Young Readers | 2018 | ISBN: 1-68335-117-7 | EAN: 9781683351177
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Audio: Meet-the-Author Book Reading with Tonya Bolden sharing some of the backstory for creating Facing Frederick (Courtesy TeachingBooks.net)
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Author Q&A
Tonya Bolden on Frederick Douglass: A “Man Utterly Beyond Category” (School Library Journal)
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Facing Frederick Made It On These “Best” Lists …
Cooperative Children’s Book Center – 2019 CCBC Choices (Category: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir)
Kirkus – Best Books of 2018 (Category: Best Middle-Grade Biography & Memoir of 2018)
School Library Journal – Best Books of 2018 (Nonfiction)
Chicago Public Library – CPL Best of the Best Books of 2018 – CPL recommends Facing Frederick as one of the “Best Informational Books for Older Readers of 2018.“
The Washington Post: KidsPost – “Best Children’s Books of 2018.” Jason Reynolds and Washington Post reviewers share their favorites.
A Junior Library Guild “Gold Standard Selection” Award | April 2018
NCSS/CBC – 2019 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
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Facing Frederick Reviews
“Most folks know Frederick Douglass as an escaped slave turned abolitionist. Bolden’s insightful, and impeccably researched, biography reveals, instead, a multifaceted man who would travel many paths and constantly redefine himself . . . Author, newspaper owner, lecturer, Underground Railroad conductor, Union army recruiter, abolitionist, and presidential campaigner are just some of Douglass’ roles described . . . Bolden’s beautiful, sophisticated narrative demonstrates that throughout all of his responsibilities, Douglass never lost sight of his biggest role—humanitarian.” [Read full review] — Booklist, starred review
“This narrative about a well-known figure feels fresh due to Bolden’s skilled storytelling . . . A spirited biography that fully honors its redoubtable subject.” [Read full review] — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Bolden immerses students in Douglass’s world, effectively capturing the atmosphere of the time . . . with photographs, drawings, and images of his publications. What elevates these visuals are Bolden’s meticulous descriptions of each one (albumen print, daguerreotype, watercolor, lithograph, etc.) Bolden adroitly demonstrates the wealth of Douglass’s life and accomplishments with this stellar biography. A must for all nonfiction collections.” [Read full review] — School Library Journal, starred review
Bolden’s signature narrative style, concise and controlled but with a dashes of storyteller panache, allows the big issues to flow easily among the biographical details, making this a strong choice for middle school readers ready to tackle some historical complexity. A timeline, notes, a list of selected sources, an index, and illustrations (including a dozen portrait photographs of Douglass) are included. [Read full review] — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (BCCB)
“The text introduces its readers to new documents and scholarship about the once enslaved abolitionist. It’s also compelling to read Douglass’s words in breakout quotes and captions. This is an excellent biography . . .” — School Library Connection
Bolden skillfully interweaves the political developments of Douglass’s time with his personal life. Archival photographs and illustrations, journalistic extracts, a timeline, and other resources are included. [Read full review] — Publishers Weekly
In this richly detailed and impeccably designed biography, author Tonya Bolden shows how Douglass’s unshakable sense of purpose pushed him . . . Bolden provides plenty of close-up views of Douglass’s family life, travels in Europe, advocacy of women’s rights, and lifelong intellectual rigor. Many young readers will be impressed and inspired by the strength of purpose that Douglass carried till the day he died at his Washington home, readying himself to make another speech at the age of 77. [Read full review] — Washington Post