Hard Labor (book)
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Patricia McKissack, Fredrick McKissack |
| Products | Children's history book |
Hard Labor: The First African Americans, 1619 is a 2004 publication by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack that explores the arrival of the earliest African Americans in the United States.
Reception
According to Booklist, the McKissacks tackle a challenging subject within this succinct history from the Milestone Books collection. The book is designed with large print and monochrome illustrations; however, due to its extensive historical content, including the topic of global slavery, it may necessitate adult assistance for middle-grade readers. The School Library Journal pointed out shortcomings such as the lack of a bibliography, source notes, table of contents, and index but commended the prose for encouraging curiosity and discussion.
The Horn Book Magazine noted the presence of a timeline and resource list but criticized the broadness of the narrative, which resulted in a somewhat confusing presentation. Kirkus Reviews found fault with the book’s attempt to merge several narratives into a fragmented story, though it acknowledged its potential appeal as an engaging historical introduction for younger audiences.
The ALAN Review endorses Hard Labor as a valuable nonfiction work for young adults focusing on labor history in America.