Annie Brown wrestled with a difficult question on many a sleepless night. Was it right for one man to seek an end to slavery through murder and bloodshed –especially if that man was her father?
On the night of October 16, 1859, a regiment of 19 men –black and white, from all walks of life –tramped side-by-side through the gloomy mist and drizzle, making their way to Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The town housed a U.S. government arsenal and thousands of guns, weapons that would arm Virginia's slaves and help them take back their freedom. John Brown's raid electrified the nation and brought it closer to civil war.
In 1941, renowned African-American artist Jacob Lawrence created a series of vivid gouache paintings, radiating with the intensity and intrigue of this legendary abolitionist. Through Lawrence's art, author Gwen Everett explores John Brown's sincere conviction that all people are equal, regardless of skin color. By telling the story from Annie's viewpoint, Everett allows young readers to explore contemporary issues in this riveting chapter of American history.
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