Nightjohn

**This review was created for an assignment at Texas Woman's University**

Book Review: Nightjohn

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Paulsen, Gary. 1993. NIGHTJOHN. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.
ISBN: 0440219361

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Hardship, struggle, abuse marked the lives of slaves working on plantations in the 1850’s. Award winning author Gary Paulson breathes life into this dark period in American History in his book Nightjohn through Sarny, a twelve-year old slave girl struggling to find her way on a southern plantation. Sarny’s life changes for the better in ways she never dreamt were possible when she meets Nightjohn, a new slave on the plantation.

During the dark of night, veiled in secrecy, Nightjohn teachers Sarny to read and write. Slaves during this time could read or write, and furthermore those who taught other slaves to read and write faced severe consequences for their actions including physical abuse, and sometimes death. Nightjohn proceed with nightly teachings in spite of the danger until the day Mr. Waller finds out Sarny’s secret.

The punishment inflicted on Nightjohn by plantation owner Mr. Waller terrifies Sarny, but she does not let her fear of punishment derail her passion for learning to read and write. Paulson’s heart-warming story reveals the strength and determination that Sarny and Nightjohn possessed, and shines a light of happiness and hope to a very dark period of American History.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Award winning author Gary Paulson combines a true story adapted in parts about the horrific realities of slavery with emotion that reveals a very human side to the life of protagonist Sarny and those who are close to her. Nightjohn is narrated by Sarny, which allows readers to get her perspective on the life of a slave girl during the 1850’s. Both characters are strong and prolific figures that will stick in the minds of readers long after they have finished reading the book.

Paulson’s style of writing and dialogue included reflects the dialect and language of the time in which the novel takes place. The plot and setting of Nightjohn reflect careful consideration to the historical accuracy of plantation life with descriptions about slavery that reflect the harsh conditions in which slaves lived, the disparaging actions of slave owners, and the fear that existed in the daily lives of slaves. Paulson does not list his sources for Nightjohn but does write in the beginning of the novel, “Except for variations in time and character identification and placement, the events written in this story are true and actually happened.” Perhaps more creditability for historical accuracy could have been gained if Paulson had cited his sources.

Paulson does not try to water down the details of slave life. The descriptions he gives about slavery include harsh and difficult to read details at times because of the raw emotion that the words evoke. Paulson writes the following about a slave who attempted to run away, “The master set the dogs on him and they tore and ripped what they could reach until there wasn’t any meat on Jim’s legs or bottom. The dogs ripped it all off to hang in shreds.” He includes background detail that helps the reader understand the desires and actions of the characters. Sarny asks Nightjohn, “"Why they be cutting our thumbs off if we learn to read--if that's all 
there is?" Nightjohn replies, “'Cause to know things, for us to know things, is bad for them. We get 
to wanting and when we get to wanting it's bad for them. They thinks we 
want what they got."

Readers will experience a wide range of emotions ranging from anger to hope upon finishing this piece of historical fiction, and will more then likely want to know more about what followed for Sarny and Nightjohn.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Publishers Weekly starred review - "Among the most powerful of Paulsen's works, this impeccable researched novel sheds light on cruel truths in American history as it traces the experiences of a 12-year-old slave girl in the 1850s."

School Library Journal starred review - "Nightjohn should be required reading (and discussing) for all middle grade and high school students."

5. CONNECTIONS:
*After reading Nightjohn, teachers can read the first chapter of the companion book, Sarny: A Life Remembered for readers interested in how her life turns out.
*This book can be used in conjunction with social studies lessons and units related to slavery and the Civil War.
*Students can talk about and discuss what it would be like to want to learn to read and write and not be allowed to.

AWARDS:
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Notable Children’s Book
An IRA-CBC Children’s Choice