Historical Fiction: Show Way

This is a one of best books by Jacqueline Woodson. This book is actually about the authors life and traditions that were passed down to her, that can be traced all the way back to her great-great-great grandmother. The title, "Show Way" actually symbolizes how the women before her use to make quilts and show secret passages to escape to their freedom. It tells the tale of the struggles her family has endured to get to the place they are today. This books shows the reader how her grandmother was a slave and how they continued to pass the legacy of sewing down to the daughters so that they could help each other and other slaves to freedom. During this time, they were always being traded and sold off to other plantations, and no one could read or write. They had to do something to communicate without giving their plans away and the risk of being caught. The quilts had secret messages sewn into them and the only thing the slaves had to do was follow the path on the quits. The illustrations in this book are amazing. Some of the pictures are collages of different pictures and artifacts from the time period she is referring to on that particular page. Some artifacts are even actual items, such as a needle and thread. This book would be a great resource for students who are seeking futher information about African American history and the stuggles of African ancestors. I would also recommend this book to inspring artists seeing that this book offer great ideas.