THEY CALL ME TEACH: LESSONS IN FREEDOM written by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome

Writer Lesa Cline-Ransome and her illustrator husband James Ransome collaborate on THEY CALL ME TEACH: LESSONS IN FREEDOM. Together, with her spare text and his gripping watercolors, they picture life in the early 1860’s and the life of a young enslaved man secretly called Teach. We follow him through a week of activities as he uses his skills to read letters and helps others learn to do the same, scratch alphabets and math figures in the dirt to bring literacy to others who are enslaved. He becomes a leader and comfort to his community. This book, built from many stories extolls the importance of literacy and risking everything for freedom. Find out more about the book at the purchase link below.