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What Is Juneteenth?
Discover more about Juneteenth, the important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, a group of enslaved men, women, and children in Texas gathered around a Union solder and listened as he read the most remarkable words they would ever hear. They were no longer they were free. The inhumane practice of forced labor with no pay was now illegal in all of the United States. This news was cause for celebration, so the group of people jumped in excitement, danced, and wept tears of joy. They did not know it at the time, but their joyous celebration of freedom would become a holiday--Juneteenth--that is observed each year by more and more Americans.
Author Kirsti Jewel shares stories from Juneteenth celebrations, both past and present, and chronicles the history that led to the creation of this joyous day.
With 80 black-and-white illustrations and an engaging 16-page photo insert, readers will be excited to read this latest addition to Who HQ!
On June 19, 1865, a group of enslaved men, women, and children in Texas gathered around a Union solder and listened as he read the most remarkable words they would ever hear. They were no longer they were free. The inhumane practice of forced labor with no pay was now illegal in all of the United States. This news was cause for celebration, so the group of people jumped in excitement, danced, and wept tears of joy. They did not know it at the time, but their joyous celebration of freedom would become a holiday--Juneteenth--that is observed each year by more and more Americans.
Author Kirsti Jewel shares stories from Juneteenth celebrations, both past and present, and chronicles the history that led to the creation of this joyous day.
With 80 black-and-white illustrations and an engaging 16-page photo insert, readers will be excited to read this latest addition to Who HQ!
112 pages, Hardcover
Published April 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 7, 2023
A general overview of black history for tweens. Some of the topics and subjects (i.e. red foods, Juneteenth flag, Clara Peoples) were new to me. Even though I was familiar with the Confederate States of America and Breonna Taylor, more background knowledge and history may be needed for the intended audience. A glossary or an appendix about these terms instead of photographs at the end of the book could have been helpful.
July 5, 2022
Clearly presented and age appropriate (age 10 and up maybe) info on the history Juneteenth from the beginning to the establishment of the federal holiday. I actually learned a lot because my knowledge of the day was embarrassingly scant. Also important racial equity stuff in there—was able to have another good conversation about George Floyd with my 11yo. I liked how the book pointed out that the difference between July 4 and June 19 is that June 19 was the day when freedom for ALL was established.
March 24, 2022
Explains the background of Juneteenth but also includes celebrations around the country afterward and up until 2021 that follows historical events such as the Civil Rights Movement or the creation of Black Lives Matter.
It is pretty comprehensive and I learned a few news things that I appreciated from the WhoHQ series.
It is pretty comprehensive and I learned a few news things that I appreciated from the WhoHQ series.
June 15, 2024
Great book of knowledge for anyone unaware of the holiday and the history surrounding it—can be read with all age levels.
August 12, 2022
A kids’ concise history of Juneteenth with its traditions and celebrations. The book discusses slavery, the Civil War, The Emancipation Proclamation, the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement, Black Lives Matter, the COVID-19 pandemic and more. All of these contribute to the journey and importance of the Juneteenth holiday. It is much more than simply a day blacks in Texas celebrated their freedom.
June 21, 2023
Juneteenth can be a tough holiday to understand and it seems that may be by design. Reading this book was more challenging for me than I thought it would be and not just because my ancestors were slave holders. The book jumps back and forth through time and adds nuance and detail to events in US history that I'm only vaguely familiar with. As an adult, this book demands my attention and time. I say this because of all the mental processing I have to do. I finished the book, but already know I'll keep reading it as questions start to arise. I didn't learn anything about Juneteenth in class as a kid so my brain now has to do the extra work of updating what I know about US history to include this perspective. As a current middle school student, reading this book would probably be fascinating and also serve as an excellent foundation for understanding classes they will take as middle and high school students. As an educator, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about Juneteenth whether young or older. The illustrations alone are worth the read, but the primary source photographs and information at the back are what really bring everything home.
May 24, 2023
"The people of Texas were the last to hear the news that had changed all of the United States."
This little book offers a history of the event that was the original Juneteenth as well as a history of how Juneteenth has been celebrated and a part of America for over a hundred years, complete with when it became a national/Federal holiday.
I love how this highlights the joy with which Juneteenth is celebrated as a family holiday, A notes its many ties to a forward thinking mindset, as well as its symbolic reminders of the painful past it celebrates freedom from. (I had always been aware of the traditional foods, but this book had the best explanation I've read for them.)
This little book offers a history of the event that was the original Juneteenth as well as a history of how Juneteenth has been celebrated and a part of America for over a hundred years, complete with when it became a national/Federal holiday.
I love how this highlights the joy with which Juneteenth is celebrated as a family holiday, A notes its many ties to a forward thinking mindset, as well as its symbolic reminders of the painful past it celebrates freedom from. (I had always been aware of the traditional foods, but this book had the best explanation I've read for them.)
July 26, 2023
I wish that the book would have stayed more on topic instead of branching out into larger topics of African American history. I had picked up this book hoping to get more of the specifics of the holiday. Some topics the touched on so quickly that they could have expanded on instead of going off topic. Like I would have liked to learn more about the Miss Juneteenth contests. Like are they just focused on beauty or are their skills that they have to show that are culturally specific. It would have been details like this that would have made the book better fit the title.
July 8, 2024
Este un libro corto que nos explica lo que fue la esclavitud y la lucha por los derechos humanos de la comunidad afro estadounidense ✊🏽
Me hizo sentir mucha empatía. Las historias de vida de las figuras afro estadounidense que se mencionan me hicieron 😭 la segregación, violencia y discriminación que sufrieron, pese a eso, se levantaron para seguir luchando por sus derechos y por los de sus familias.
Esta diseñado para dar a conocer a infantes entre 8 y 11 años la historia de la celebración nacional Juneteenth en E.U.
Me hizo sentir mucha empatía. Las historias de vida de las figuras afro estadounidense que se mencionan me hicieron 😭 la segregación, violencia y discriminación que sufrieron, pese a eso, se levantaron para seguir luchando por sus derechos y por los de sus familias.
Esta diseñado para dar a conocer a infantes entre 8 y 11 años la historia de la celebración nacional Juneteenth en E.U.
June 23, 2022
I love listening to the short audiobooks in this series and learning about all the history I missed out on (or forgot!). I definitely did not learn about Juneteenth until 2020, like most of white America I would imagine. The book also gives an overview of the history of slavery, the civil rights movement in the 1960s, and the recent Black Lives Matter movement. I knew most of what the book explored, but did enjoy learning about the history of Juneteenth celebrations.
January 1, 2023
This was an informative read. Juneteenth is a celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery and became an independence for all Americans. My 9 year old who listened with me also found the book to be interesting. He said that Juneteenth day reminds him a lot like Independence Day. We were both surprised to learn that Juneteenth started in Texas and that Milwaukee has one of the largest celebrations
Audio book from library
Audio book from library
July 2, 2024
I listened to the audiobook with my 8yo. It’s only an hour, so it was perfect for our drives to summer camp. I may not be the best judge because I didn’t know much about Juneteenth before listening to this, but I thought it was really well done. Very accessible and a great overview of Black history in the US, right up to the current continuing movements. (Warning, listening to descriptions of slavery on the drive to summer camp was a bit emotional for me!)
June 28, 2022
Amazing book but first 3 amazing facts 89-year-old lady named opal Lee walked around 1,4 00 miles to help Juneteenth a National holiday and usually on June Juneteenth people only eat red food to remember the people who died Juneteenth is celebrated when people got freedom and black and white were equal too.
July 16, 2024
This was a basic overview of the holiday from its origins to how it became a national holiday. While it may be enough for your 2nd grade audiences, my 4th grader and I both felt like it was a rushed overview. It would have been nice to have more details and information.
April 16, 2022
I love this fucking shit for comedy, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
I read this for Juneteenth and it may be a children's book but there's a lot of good information packed in. Very educational and easy to read.
July 18, 2022
Fact filled look at the history and beginnings of Juneteenth in America, and why and how it is celebrated as a national holiday, and a day of freedom.
November 21, 2022
This was nicely done and explained how Juneteenth came about and why it is important to acknowledge and celebrate.
December 27, 2022
Liked it. Very well written
February 5, 2023
4 stars
April 26, 2023
So pleased to learn about Juneteenth and grateful it is recognized as a federal holiday.
June 2, 2023
Really well done
June 26, 2023
Love reading young adult/ classroom books!!
July 13, 2023
Great read for kids wanting to learn more about this important celebration. Highly recommend reading it to your kids.
October 28, 2023
Read for class
January 4, 2024
A decent summary of the history of the day and how it came to be a national holiday.
June 10, 2024
Even as an adult, I learned a lot about the customs and history of this important holiday. Rec to ages 8+.
July 8, 2024
It was interesting learning about when the slaves were freed.
July 4, 2024
I took some young friends to a lovely independent bookstore last week, and we all settled into the comfy chairs to look through a book. I read this excellent book about Juneteenth. It is a great addition to the fabulous "Who was" series, and I learned so much about the origins of Juneteenth!
May 20, 2024
Very informative!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews