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Amos Fortune, Free Man (Newbery Library, Puffin) Review
These were the words of Amos Fortune, born the son of a king of the At-mun-shi tribe in Africa. When Amos was only fifteen years old, he was captured by slave traders and brought to Massachusetts, where he was sold at auction. Although his freedom had been taken, Amos never lost his dignity and courage. He dreamed of being free and of buying the freedom of his closest friends. By the time he was sixty years old, Amos Fortune began to see those dreams come true. Amos Fortune, Free Man is a Newbery Award winner that is based on a true story. User Submitted Amos Fortune, Free Man (Newbery Library, Puffin) ReviewsMarch 26, 2008 It's Not the Circumstances that Make the Man Amos Fortune is the true story of a man who was born in Africa - the son of a great chief - and was kidnapped (along with many people from his tribe) and taken to America, where he was sold into slavery. He was purchased by a Quaker family in New England who treat him more like a son than a slave and teach him to read and help him to embrace the Christian faith. Through an agreement with his first owner, Amos eventually earns his own freedom. He proceeds to work very diligently and live very simply in order to earn enough money to buy the freedom of several other slaves over the course of his lifetime. He is the embodiment of diligence, patience and integrity. The story is remarkable both because it is a true story and because it takes place in America in a place (the northern states) and time (around the time of the American Revolution) not often considered part of the story of slavery. Appropriate for fourth grade and up. March 25, 2008 How a man should live his life This is an excellent book about a young chief named At-Mun, who was taken from his tribe in Africa and shipped off like an animal to be sold as a slave in the new world. Everything he knew and held dear: his religion, his family and friends (specifically his sister whom he loved), his language, his culture, and his home had to be left behind. After a hard trip across the Atlantic, enduring the pain of sickness and severe cruelty, watching even his own people die, they finally reached America. It had been a long three months. At-Mun was sold at the slave auction to a kind man and his family. He changed hands a few times after the family had to move. Through those many years he learned the English language and culture. He even took up their Religion of Christianity, which he took very seriously. He was eventually given a new name, and was known to everyone as Amos Fortune. When he was in his sixties, he received his freedom and married, then decided to take up the work of a tanner, which he had been taught in his earlier days. From then on, he was known as Amos Fortune, Free man. It meant so much to him to be free, that he began freeing other people too. His love for his God, people, his work, and his family made him beloved to many people. This is an excellent book about a man who never gave up, and who never stopped loving. This is a perfect example showing how every man should be. January 9, 2008 I love this book I read this to my children and found it to be very encouraging, uplifting, and simplistic in the man's trust and faith in God. The character traits reflected in Amos are ones that you truly desire in your children. One of the best books we read this year in school. July 27, 2007 Excellent vocabulary resource! I've used Amos Fortune Free Man as a powerful tool in building vocabulary and dictionary usage skills for my fifth graders. It is not an easy read, but does open young eyes to the way of life in colonial America. The book develops the character as they read, and I point that out to my students. Advanced readers told me that they thought it was boring at first but got better as they read. The concept that fiction and historical fiction books often develop in that way came through clearer by having them read the book than by my merely telling them. They learned not to give up on a book after reading just a few pages. I highly recommend it for gifted readers. March 18, 2007 Understanding Freedom Do you forget how vital freedom is in everyday life? Elizabeth Yates, the author of Amos Fortune: Free Man, informs her readers of how important freedom is. Atamun, the protagonist, was a representation for all of those Africans who struggled up the steep road, full of obstacles, to freedom. He stood for a large mistreated group of Africans who were deprived of their freedom and forced to work against their will. The central theme of freedom began with the concept of slavery. Atamun, who represents all the Africans who were once free in their own continent, was a prince in Africa until he was captured. All along the perilous and excruciating voyage, Atamun wished for freedom. He wanted to be back in Africa. Africa was a place where he did not need to earn freedom. However, the pain of the voyage was a constant reminder that snickered, "You cannot escape without receiving more pain and suffering." At last, the voyage ended and Atamun's trials had just begun. He refused to listen to the embarrassing words that echoed from the mouths of those who wished to force him deeper still into the pit of slavery. The Europeans tried to do so by selling Atamun to other Europeans so he would have to work for them. In addition, the Europeans who wanted to buy him insulted Atamun by laughing at his looks and inability to speak English. Atamun was finally bought by a Quaker. He was re-named Amos, but I have chosen to call him Atamun because Atamun was his original African name. The pain of being owned weakened Atamun physically and mentally. Like most slaves, Atamun was re-sold to someone else. Fortunately, he was freed quickly. The burden of being a slave was removed but was quickly replaced with new hardships. Bigotry and injustice seeped into Atamun's life at different times like poison because his lack of liberty was due to his color. Once, Atamun needed land. He had earned enough money to free his own family. Now, he wanted to expand their lives by giving them land. There was plenty of land, which Atamun discovered in a spacious settlement. The constable of that settlement, however, stood against him. Thankfully, the constable finally agreed. Atamun was lent a large plot of land. Having journeyed far in his life and gotten past two obstacles, Atamun was proud of himself. However, Atamun did not have the power to do certain things. Atamun reached other obstacles, such as want for land of his own and lack of business. Atamun received business once his reputation as a tanner grew, but Atamun's color caused limitations. At that time, Atamun was unable to sit anywhere other than the back pew at church or to be paid the proper amount of money. He, however, did raise enough money to buy his own plot of land. Atamun reached a final obstacle. What was he going to do about others who were kept down by slavery? Atamun decided to help others by funding the school for Africans in his settlement. Atamun had fulfilled the dream of the slave. Atamun was truly free in his heart, mind, and spirit! Freedom is a blessing that makes everyone's life better, but most people do not consider its magnitude every day because they have liberty in abundance. Elizabeth Yates did an excellent job of informing you that freedom is essential for a peaceful life and how horrible life can be without it. November 30, 2006 What A Great Book To Read Amos Fortune Free Man is one of the best books I have ever read. Amos Fortune is a biography,So he really lived. I personally love to read biographies whether it's sports or history. Amos was from an African tribe, but slave traders came over to Africa. Amos even though he lives in a different country is trying to save his people. This book can make you wonder why something happened or did not happen. This book was so good that I had to read it for an second time. All the biography lovers out there need to read this book. Also this book can get a little boring sometimes, but it's still a good book!If I get another chance to read this book I definitely will. November 1, 2006 More Boring Than I Thought As with most other kids I thought this book was not worth writing. While reading the description it sounded fantasticly exciting. In the beginning it actually sounded like an interesting piece of history. By the end it was one of the most boring books I've ever read. Now I have come to realize that just because a book wins the Newbery Medal does not mean that it is a good book. With 1,000 good books one book can be published because it is pollitically correct or is spewed out by a good author. I have no doubts about Elizabeth Yates but I think that Amos Fortune is a book about a man that had a good life, but one that was not nessicarily worth writing about. April 14, 2006 Not so boring. Quite contrary to other peoples opinions on this book I found it engaging rather than boring. The main character (Amos) is an example good of patience. It is well written and an excellent book. February 23, 2006 Amos Fortune Free Man This book was a bit slow starting but then picked up towards the middle and end (so much that I wish it hadn't of stopped.) Even though the print and layout of book seemed kind of juvenile it's content and vocabulary was fitting for up to a 14 or 15 year old. Definitely a different type of "slavery" book; Fortune was one that we as a society should know more about. Elizabeth Yates' book made me want to learn more about the man, Amos Fortune. I would recommend this book to any age level. January 8, 2006 Rewrite! This terrific story deserves a rewrite. This books is so good, and yet so bad. The middle is so dull I can't find a word dull enough to describe it. The amazing thing is that despite the horror of the dull bits you still feel compelled to finish the story. You still feel awed by the triumph of Amos Fortune. I've even reread it because the story and the characters are so strong. I recommend reading this book despite it's faults. Hang in there. It really is worth it, though you won't believe me until the end. For more Amos Fortune, Free Man (Newbery Library, Puffin) reviews click here.
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