Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies & Little Misses of Color

ALSC Notable Children's Book

Here is the story of Miss Prudence Crandall and her black students, who endured the cruelty of prejudice and hateful actions for the sake of their education.

Miss Crandall faced legal proceedings for opening her school of African American women. But her young students knew that Miss Crandall had committed no crime. They knew that the real criminals were the rich white residents of Canterbury, Connecticut, who had poisoned the school's water and set fire to the schoolhouse. But hatred could not destroy their patience and compassion. From March of 1833 to September of 1834, when persecution forced the school to close, these African American women learned that they deserved an education. What they needed was the courage to go after it.

Poets Elizabeth Alexander and Marilyn Nelson have re-created the remarkable story of Prudence Crandall's school in this award-winning book, using the sonnet form with innovative style. Floyd Cooper's powerful illustrations reveal the strength and vulnerability of Miss Crandall and her students.

Author: Elizabeth Alexander, Marilyn Nelson
Publisher: Wordsong
Published: 09/01/2007
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 7.38h x 10.66w x 0.51d
ISBN: 9781590784563
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.9
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 116747 / Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies & Little Misses of Color


Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Connecticut Book Awards - Winner


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 08/15/2007 pg. 849
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2007 pg. 594
School Library Journal 09/01/2007 pg. 212
Booklist 10/01/2007 pg. 56
Voice of Youth Advocates 12/01/2007 pg. 456 - Recommended - Readable
Kirkus Best Young-Adult Books 12/01/2007 pg. 4
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2007 pg. 126
Multicultural Review 12/01/2007 pg. 85
Christian Home & School 02/01/2008 pg. 30

About the Author
Elizabeth Alexander is a poet, essayist, playwright, and teacher, and the author of four books of poems for adults, including American Sublime, one of three finalists for the 2006 Pulitzer Prize and an ALA Notable Book of the Year. She is a professor of African American literature and culture at Yale University. Dr. Alexander lives in New Haven, Connecticut.

Marilyn Nelson is a past poet laureate of the state of Connecticut and a three-time National Book Award finalist. She is the author of two award-winning books for young people, Carver: A Life in Poems and Fortune's Bones: The Manumission Requiem. She lives in East Haddam, Connecticut.

Floyd Cooper is a well-known children's book illustrator whose laurels include three Coretta Scott King Honor Awards, ten ALA Notable Book Awards, and an NAACP Image Award. He lives in Easton, Pennsylvania.



This title is only available via back order