Monday, February 20, 2017

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Shackles from the Deep

Shackles From the Deep 
by Michael Cottman
National Geographic, 2017
Nonfiction

Summary:

A pile of lime-encrusted shackles discovered on the seafloor in the remains of a ship called the Henrietta Marie, lands Michael Cottman, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and avid scuba diver, in the middle of an amazing journey that stretches across three continents, from foundries and tombs in England, to slave ports on the shores of West Africa, to present-day Caribbean plantations. This is more than just the story of one ship – it's the untold story of millions of people taken as captives to the New World. Told from the author's perspective, this book introduces young readers to the wonders of diving, detective work, and discovery, while shedding light on the history of slavery.

Why You'll Love It:
  • Every bit of this concise, detailed book feels personal, and Cottman’s exploration and investigation of the wreck is rich with intrigue and poignant, thought-provoking questions.
  • Cottman weaves his personal story of discovery with history of the slave trade, helping readers understand why a sunken slave ship from the 1700s still matters.
  • Color photographs show artifacts from the Henrietta Marie, and end material includes references and additional reading. It's part mystery, part history, and part self-discovery.
Who Should Read It:

Great for 6th-9th graders.



What Else You Should Read:

4 comments:

Linda B said...

This sounds fascinating. I hope my library has it! Thanks!

Jane @ www.raincitylibrarian.ca said...

What a powerful story! This one's new to me, and I'm definitely going to seek it out.

Billbrarian said...

This sounds like something that needs to be in all library collections as it is an important part of history. Thanks for sharing this one!

Cheriee Weichel said...

Like everyone else before has said, this book sounds very intriguing. I love these kinds of books that make connections across space and time. Thanks for the introduction.

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