Show Way - Realistic/Historical Fiction

Show Way is written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Hudson Talbott. This book begins with the story of Soonie's great-grandma who was a slave in South Carolina. She was sold and left her family when she was only seven years old. At the new plantation, she heard stories of slaves who ran away to freedom and she learned to sew. She made quilts called "show ways" which were secret maps of underground railroads. She had a daughter, Mathis May, who also learned to sew these quilts. Mathis May was also sold when she was seven years old but she continued to sew wherever she went. Other slaves came to her to see her show ways so they could escape to freedom. Mathis May grew up and married a man who died during the Civil War, but that same year, 1863, she had a daughter who grew up to have Soonie. Soonie was born free and did not have to work in fields but she also knew how to sew. She did not have to sew show ways anymore, but she did. Soonie also had a daughter, Georgiana. She was very smart and could read at an early age. She had two daughters, Caroline and Ann. They grew up during the time of segregation. Ann had a daughter, Jacqueline, who is the author of the book. The book is about her family history and what they have experienced. 

I would use this book when studying slavery or segregation since the book hits on both topics. We would discuss the history of a African American woman's life and the things she and her family have experienced. This book also touches on the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation even though they are not directly stated. It could be used as a read aloud during Black History Month to educate students on African American's history and culture. We could address the topics of treating everyone equal and how "separate but equal" was not fair.