The Wagon

By Tony Johnston

Book Overview

An African-American boy is born into slavery, and as he grows he dreams that the wagon he has helped build for Master is a glorious chariot of freedom. Illustrated in colour by James E. Ransome. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688134572
• ISBN13: 9780688134570
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Tambourine
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.8" x 0.3" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

My Six Cents

Yet another heart-warming tale of sorrow and sadness that ends in relief. This suspenseful story of a slave family narrated by a young, enslaved boy, will reach out and claw at your heart; urging you to turn to the next page to see what happens. THE WAGON by TONY JOHNSTON will pick you up and shake you by your ankles as you experience their hardships as slaves and finally the joy finding themselves free. Six roachy thumbs up.

Great Read!!!!!

I was very captivated by the story told in this book. The author really described feeling and added just the right details to make the sotry come alive. It also had the most beautiful pictures to go along with the story, I was very impressed. I would definately recommend this to parents and to anyone else who is interested.

Born a slave, a boy is freed at the end of the Civil War.

A twelve year old boy experiences the joy and pain of freedom when the Civil War ends, he and his family are set free, and Lincoln is assassinated. The cadence of the language evokes the rhythm of a spiritual and the illustrations provide rich interpretation of the story. Winner of the Simon Wiesenthal Children's Book Award, The Wagon is a valuable addition to school libraries. The quiet dignity of the family, the social justice of freedom counterbalanced by the tragic assassination of Lincoln, and the search for a new life are ever important themes to present to children.