Recommended Ages: Gr.

Plot Summary: Booker was born a slave but when he was 9, the Civil War ended and he was free. That didn't mean he could do what he wanted -- he still needed to work hard to support his family. One day, after looking in a schoolhouse window, he discovered letters and words. His mom found a way to get him a book and he taught himself to read. He dreamt of going to school but his family still couldn't afford it. Finally, he found a school far away that he could attend and got there by finding rides and walking. After graduating in 3 years, he taught in a few places before ending up in Alabama. At first, he taught in a small shed with holes in the roof. Then he decided to build a school. It was difficult, especially making bricks, but he finally succeeded after all of his students wanted to quit.

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Recurring Themes: perseverance, education, slavery, freedom, teaching, physical labor

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: I am impressed by Booker T. Washington. I knew his name but I honestly didn't know what he was famous for. This story of perseverance is amazing. The writing and the illustrations are ok. Fairly simple and short.

Genre: Biography

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"With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School” by Suzanne Slade is a wonderful biography that I enjoyed for three big reasons. First, I liked the fact that the author wrote about his life from when he was young and in slavery, through working in the salt mine, going to school for the first time, and all the way through building his own school. This helps the reader feel attached and connected to Washington. It is amazing to see where he started and where he ends up by the end of the story. I also liked that the author included a quotation by Washington at the end: “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life, as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” Additionally, Slade included a section in the back that features more information about Washington. These extra features help make the book that much more educational, and really gives a fuller picture for who this great man was. Finally, the illustrations by Nicole Tadgell help bring this history to the present with rich watercolor pictures that both cover the entire page, and at other times are featured in smaller frames around the page. The calming colors and faded edges make this story seem dream-like. It’s truly a beautiful book. I think the main message is that, like Washington said in his quotation, it doesn’t matter so much where you end up in life, but how you got there. For Washington, just learning to read was a huge accomplishment, due to where he started and his beginning circumstances. All that is important is that you work hard and face obstacles bravely; that makes you successful. ( )