Written by: Tonya Bolden Illustrated by: Don Tate Knopf Books For Young Readers October 2018
Synopsis (From Publisher):
Junius G. Groves came from humble beginnings in the Bluegrass State. Born in Kentucky into slavery, freedom came when he was still a young man and he intended to make a name for himself. Along with thousands of other African Americans who migrated from the South, Junius walked west and stopped in Kansas. Working for a pittance on a small potato farm was no reason to feel sorry for himself, especially when he’s made foreman. But Junius did dream of owning his own farm, so he did the next best thing. He rented the land and worked hard! As he built his empire, he also built a family, and he built them both on tons and tons and tons of potatoes. He never quit working hard, even as the naysayers doubted him, and soon he was declared Potato King of the World and had five hundred acres and a castle to call his own.
From award winning author Tonya Bolden and talented illustrator Don Tate comes a tale of perseverance that reminds us no matter where you begin, as long as you work hard, your creation can never be called small potatoes.
CWR Review:
Junius G. Groves was born a slave in the olโ Bluegrass state just before the civil war. A sad and difficult state indeed, but the prolific retelling of the life of this bold, hard-working man is a wonderful example that prior status does not have to define your future outcome. Follow Junius as he journeys from Kentucky to Kansas and watch in awe as he goes from a tenant farmer with a meager income, to a successful potato farmer and rightfully earns the title โpotato kingโ.
Based on a true story, Ms. Bolden combines her vocabulary-rich text with excerpts from various sources that quote the real Groves. The author does not shy away from rare vocabulary (โpiddlingโ โtriflesโ) or unique phrases (โthe couple slept away a dayโs weary in a one-room shackโ). Youโll be introduced to two state nicknames and older children might enjoy the math component that pops up here and there. Juniusโ character is portrayed as a strong, hard working man, who cheerfully does what is necessary to move ahead. He is not overly ambitious or greedy, more on the simple side actually, finding joy in hard work.
Don Tate keeps the heaviness of the realism somewhat lighthearted through his colorful and detailed illustrations, he is certainly a talented and gifted artist. He gives his explanation for his choice of art in the back of the book.
In the back of the book, you get a peek at Juniusโ life timeline and a glossary.
Engaging, enlightening, encouraging get yours here or here.
Themes- hard work, African-American history, farming, diligence
Leave a Reply