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"January's Sparrow" by Patricia Polacco

Author:

Patricia Polacco

Publisher:

Philomel

Polacco, Patricia. January’s Sparrow  Philomel Books, New York, 2009.

January’s Sparrow is an vividly illustrated, almost 100 page picture book dedicated to the Crosswhite family, a slave family who escaped north in the 1840’s to Marshall, Michigan.  January Crosswhite was adopted into the Crosswhite family after he was sold away from his mother as a young child.  They raised him as their own on their master’s Kentucky plantation.  January’s carved wooden sparrow was a gift to Sadie Crosswhite, youngest daughter; a symbol of his plans to escape. When January was captured and brutally whipped by his master, all the family presumed he had died.  Subsequently, out of fear that the Crosswhite boys would be sold, the entire family escaped north under the cover of night via the Underground Railroad.  After a perilous journey, the family is taken in by a free black family in Marshall, Michigan.  Encouraged by the attitudes and opportunities in this anti-slavery town, the Crosswhite family decides to stay, ever aware of the slave catchers, but welcoming the chance to hold down good jobs and go to school.    After a few years, January eventually catches up to his family, at the same time as their former master tracks the family down in Marshall.  In a peaceful, non-violent protest, the people of Marshall rally around the Crosswhites, delaying their master and buying them just enough time to escape to Canada.

Polacco’s detailed charcoal pencil and watercolor drawings, most covering more than half of each two-page spread depict the intense personalities and emotions in the faces of the people,  capturing the action of each scene; the terror and joy of each critical moment.  So vivid are her illustrations that you can feel the chill of the winter and the warmth of the family’s love.  Using dialect modified from slave narratives, the story reflects the unique voice of January, adding its historical authenticity. 

I read this story to two classes of fifth graders, encouraging them to make connections to prior knowledge and develop their prediction and questioning skills.  Most found the book quite exciting, enjoying the suspense, and sympathizing with the characters and their extreme situations.  All were especially satisfied with the surprising ending, wanting to learn more about the historical truth about the Crosswhite family.  An excellent vehicle reflecting a slave’s point of view, I highly recommend January’s Sparrow for grades 4-8.

Kristine Wildner, Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, WI

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