{"product_id":"i-lay-my-stitches-down-poems-of-american-slavery-9780802856142","title":"I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery","description":"\u003ci\u003eA moving, memorable poetry collection shaped around the stories of enslaved people in America.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVoice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) Nonfiction Honor List\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBank Street College Best Children's Books\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePEN Steven Kroll Award Shortlist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews \u003c\/i\u003e(starred)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal \u003c\/i\u003e(starred)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003eThis rich and intricate collection of poems chronicles the various experiences of enslaved people in the United States. Named for traditional quilt block patterns like Log Cabin, Cotton Boll, and Schoolhouse, each poem--ten lines of ten syllables each--mimics the square shape of a quilt block. Readers experience slavery in America through fourteen different perspectives, including a woman humming \"Gilead\" as she quilts, a mother losing her daughter to the auction, a child discovering the freedom of learning, and a young man fleeing on the Underground Railroad. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBrought to life by vivid, expressive artwork from Michele Wood, this stirring and eloquent book offers a timeless witness to the hardship endured by enslaved men, women, and children. Each poem is supplemented by historical information and notes on quilting, musical, and spiritual references in the text.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCynthia Grady \u003c\/b\u003eis a writer, poet, and former librarian at Sidwell Friends Middle School in Washington, D.C. She made her debut as an author with \u003ci\u003eI Lay My Stitches Down \u003c\/i\u003ein 2012, and her other titles include \u003ci\u003eLike a Bird \u003c\/i\u003e(Millbrook, also illustrated by Michele Wood) and \u003ci\u003eWrite Me \u003c\/i\u003e(Charlesbridge). Cynthia currently lives in New Mexico. Visit her website at cynthiagrady.com. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eMichele Wood \u003c\/b\u003eis a painter, illustrator, designer, and writer. She received the American Book Award for her first book, \u003ci\u003eGoing Back Home \u003c\/i\u003e(Children's Book Press), and the Coretta Scott King Award for the illustrations in \u003ci\u003eI See the Rhythm\u003c\/i\u003e (Children's Book Press). Her other books include \u003ci\u003eLike a Bird \u003c\/i\u003e(Millbrook, also written by Cynthia Grady), \u003ci\u003eChasing Freedom \u003c\/i\u003e(Scholastic), and the Newbery Honor book \u003ci\u003eBox \u003c\/i\u003e(Candlewick). Michele lives in Georgia. Visit her website at michelewood.us.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Eerdmans Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50562854158610,"sku":"9780802856142","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d43cf868-c082-47f2-b307-f1f194d702c1.jpg?v=1731864223","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/i-lay-my-stitches-down-poems-of-american-slavery-9780802856142","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}