Author: Heather M. Bouwman
Illustrator: Yuko Shimizu
Copyright: 2017
"Walking like angels- like refugees, like survivors, like miracles given bodies. Walking on the water" (Bouwman, 2017, p. 278).
This book mixes historical references with fantasy in an intriguing way. In terms of the historical references that influenced this book's background, Heather M. Bouwman used the ship, Zong, as inspiration for this book. In summary, the Zong was a ship that brought slaves to other countries. The treatment that slaves received while aboard this ship are inhumane and immoral. Hundreds of innocent people were killed, thrown off board, or died of illness while aboard this ship. The captains of this ship had no feeling of wrongdoing. They were focused on receiving money for their job of bringing slaves to a specific location. They didn't see the slaves as humans. (Bouwman, 2017, pp 353-357).
Before reading this book with an upper elementary or middle school class, it is important to help build upon students' background knowledge of the Atlantic slave trade. Since this topic is the underlying historical reference throughout the book, it would be more beneficial for student to understand what it was for classroom discussions. Along with this, it would be helpful for the teacher to informally assess student knowledge in the difference between the terms refugee and slave. What are the similarities? What are the differences? For organization of thinking, making a semantic map may be beneficial.
It is important as an educator to be able to discuss the definitions of terms such as: refugee, immigrant, migrant, asylum seeker, family, and fantasy in order to develop schema of this book. It is also important to discuss the politically correct terminology because it allows students to develop critical analysis of authors that represent these populations. Some authors or illustrators may portray these populations in an inaccurate way.
For example: refugee as I believed before reading the book was leaving a home country by choice to have a better future in another. HOWEVER, refugee is actually defined as an individual who is being forced to leave their country because of their high risk of persecution because of race, social class, religion, and war. The main reason is because of a war torn country that limits their safety.
Below are a few resources that relate to the ideas of slavery and refugee that students should be able to explore:
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-atlantic-slave-trade-what-your-textbook-never-told-you-anthony-hazard
Characters:
Kinchen
Pip
Caesar
Venus
Swimmer
Thanh
Sang
Mai
and the Raft King
Though this seems like a lot of characters to pay close attention to, the author purposefully divided their stories in their different worlds before joining their worlds together. The idea of these worlds may be abstract for readers. However, with cross examination and critical analysis, readers can actually compare the accurate history references H.M. Bouwman incorporates in the stories. It gives a reader an insider approach to those that have been oppressed in the world such as slaves and refugees. It demonstrates how they were/are unwelcomed, or desired only for their special gifts.
This story makes readers hopeful and allow them to address questions such as what voices are being presented throughout the story and how after reading this story, how does it make the reader feel?
Specifically after reading this book, I reflected on how educators teach historical accounts of slavery and refugees. It is normally to me, apathetic. Normally as a student, I received facts on what slavery was, when it happened, when it ended formally according to the Constitution and wars, and that was it. This story brings another aspect, which is showing the emotions and experience of what people had to go through when being forced and sold into slavery, or having to leave home. It is distressing for the characters. They were fearful. Confused on what is best for themselves. Frustrating. Life changing.
Allowing readers in upper elementary and middle school to read this book alongside curriculum related to refugees and slavery would be a great component in understanding. Facts are good for broad understanding. Books like this allow the reader to get another perspective. Even though the main story is fictional, the use of fantasy structure is engaging and allows readers to compare what they learn historically to this story.
Not only is the text representative of voices that are not necessarily heard throughout historical accounts, the illustrations by Yuko Shimizu adds another element of engagement. It brings the story to life and allows readers to reaffirm their imagery of the characters.
References
Bouwman, H.M. (2017). A Crack in the Sea. New York: Puffin Books.