The Book of Negroes

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Although slavery is a difficult part of America’s history, it is still history. In recent years, some schools have called for the restriction of lessons and resources on slavery and racism due to their “unpleasantness” and the often heated conversations that arise in classrooms when students learn about racism and social constructs. Still, what would learning about American history look like without discussing the topic of slavery? Think back to a prior history lesson that either focused on or mentioned slavery. What were some “unpleasant,” yet necessary facts you learned from that lesson? What are some facts or aspects of the topic you wished you’d learned?

Teaching Suggestion: Often, traumatic histories are taught without sensitivity toward the readers of today and their potential emotional responses. Slavery is a difficult topic to discuss, regardless of the student’s individual background, but students of African ethnicity/ancestry might find this novel particularly disturbing at times. Consider initiating discussion with care and allowing for trauma-based responses and reactions from students. This quick read from understood.