Come Juneteenth

by Rinaldi, Ann

• ISBN13: 9780152059477
• ISBN10: 0152059474
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-05-01
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Summary

Sis Goose is a beloved member of Luli's family, despite the fact that she was born a slave. But the family is harboring a terrible secret. And when Union soldiers arrive on their Texas plantation to announce that slaves have been declared free for nearly two years, Sis Goose is horrified to learn that the people she called family have lied to her for so long. She runs away--but her newly found freedom has tragic consequences. How could the state of Texas keep the news of the Emancipation Proclamation from reaching slaves? In this riveting Great Episodes historical drama, Ann Rinaldi sheds light on the events that led to the creation of Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom that continues today. Includes an author's note.

Author Biography

ANN RINALDI is an award-winning author best known for her ability to bring history vividly to life. She lives in central New Jersey.

Excerpts

Chapter OneI was in the pumpkin patch, counting the ones that were good enough for Old Pepper Apron, our cook, to make into bread. I recollect that Pa was happy that hed gotten one or two cents more on the pound from the cotton Granville had shipped out of Bagdad. And that the fields were being sown with winter oats and rye. I looked up and saw Sis Goose standing by the gate, a frown on her lovely face. It was all like some Dutch still life I was learning about from my tutor. Sis twisted her apron in her hands. She always wore a snow-white apron, like I did, even though we had no real household chores. Luli, theres an old negro man in our barn, she said. For a moment I did not understand. The place was full of negro men: field hands, household help. But the look on her face told me something was amiss. Who is he? Says he comes from Virginny. Says . . . and her voice broke. Says what? Says the negroes are free. That Abraham Lincoln freed them in January of 63. That rumor again. But with the war there was a different rumor every week. I swallowed. Something on Sis Gooses face bespoke her distress. Go and get Gabe, I told her. Hell know what to do. Gabe was in the house, helping Mama decide whether the one hundred bushels of corn she wanted to trade for three pounds of sugar was worth it. I went to the horse barn, but I didnt go in until Gabe and Sis Goose came back. Whered you come from, Uncle? Gabe asked the man, who looked old enough to be somebodys grandfather. Virginny. I comes from Virginny, came the answer. From Applegate I come. On the advice of Miz Heather. Applegate was my Virginia grandmothers plantation. Gabe scowled and ran his hands over the back of the mans mule. It had usa branded on its back. This is a fine-looking animal. Whered you get it? Miz Heather give it to me. And say to come here. She give me a message for yall. What message? from Gabe. She say that no matter what, I shud tell yall that Mister Linkum done freed the slaves nigh over a year ago now. Did she now? Gabes voice was tight, forced in its casualness. Well, to my knowledge my grandmother never had a mule with usa branded on its back. This mule is government property, Gabe told him. I came from Virginny, the old man insisted. Miz Heather, she tell me . . . Yes, yes, I know, that Mr. Lincoln freed the slaves. Ill tell you what, Uncle Then Gabe stopped and looked at us. Go on into the house, he directed us. Tell no one about this. Ill handle it. We obeyed. I said nothing to Sis Goose about it. But she did to me. Do you think hes right? she asked. I dont know. I mean, we would have heard. If not us, then Gabe or Granville. Im sure we would have heard. And so I lied to my best friend, my sister, who trusted me. Because I had heard of this before. But both Gabe and Granville had ordered me not to speak of it. The slaves free! I could not think on it all at once. It assaulted my spirit. It gave lie to everything I knew in

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Excerpted from Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi, Ann Rinaldi
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