HUSH HARBOR

Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret

Written by: Freddi Evans

Illustrated by: Erin Banks

Lerner Publishing Group Inc., 2008

28 pages

Historical Fiction 

              The combination of the cover illustration and the title of this book is the reason I chose to read it. I was instantly curious as to what praying in secret meant.  For this story, it meant that the slaves would hold a secret meeting in the woods in order to pray together and to worship. The settling of this story is in the 1970's when slaves where not allowed the freedom of religion. Simmy, the narration of this story, and his family works in the cotton fields for their master. One day, while working in the fields, his Uncle Sol announces that there will be meeting in the hush harbor.  The meetings are prayer meetings in the words. As the news spreads of the meeting, excitement follows. This meeting's purpose, however, was to pray for Mamma. Mamma was getting older and her end was near. Once at hush harbor, the family was praying and singing worship while Simmy was playing the role of the look out. Unfortunately, Simmy spots the patrolmen coming and has to call the meeting to an end just in time for the family to hide. After everyone in in the clear of being caught, the family returns to their cabin.  At the cabin Uncle Sol tells Simmy how good of a look out he is and that that will always be his job. Mamma was proud of Simmy as well and thankful for the prayers. That night Mamma passes away and becomes free. Simmy prays that someday he to will be free and that Mamma will be the last to have to die in order to get freedom. 

          This story is full of emotion and the illustrations do a wonderful job of expressing that emotion  The story's illustrations are done using Fall coloring and the text is placed within the story informally. My personal favorite illustration in the story is of Simmy in his Mamma's arms the night before she passes. This particular illustration shows the bond between Simmy and Mamma It also shows Mamma's happiness despite all she has been through. 

         I would recommend this story for students in grades second and up. Although this story has not won any awards it is award and lesson worthy. I would use this book to teach students about slavery and the lack of right they had. I would also discuss the importance in freedom in speech.  For higher grade levels, I would ask that a discussion be formed about the characters and their emotions. Why do the you feel that they seen Mamma's death as freedom instead of a horrible event? Despite their situation they never lost their faith, can you relate?