Ending the Slave Trade with William Wilberforce of Hull

John Haden and the Pupils of St Nicholas Primary School Hull

Rating:

This series of books delightfully reflects local history and RE. The ‘Books with Schools’ project encourages pupils to research and then tell the story of the life of a famous local individual. In all the books the strong faith of the women and men featured shines through.

Ending the Slave Trade with William Wilberforce of Hull gives us insights into the protagonist’s life and mission. There is a lovely mix of colour and black and white photographs, together with pupils’ drawings. I really liked the ‘African poems’ written by pupils on pages 13 and 14, capturing something of the essence of their lives before and after captivity. One such entry (by Carys) for 1780 begins: ‘I am scratching this into the side of the ship with the pointed end of my shackle.’ Another (by Jodie) reflects: ‘We must be getting near the end of our journey by now. I hope that it will be better when we get off the ship. It can’t get any worse than this, can it?’

Other titles in this excellent series include Captain John Smith and the Founding of America (by John Haden and the Pupils of Willoughby and Partney Schools), Admiral of New England: Captain John Smith and the American Dream (by John Haden and the Y7 Students of King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth), Captain Christopher Newport of Limehouse, Virginia and the East Indies (by John Haden and the Pupils of the Mayflower and the Holy Family Schools, Tower Hamlets) and Bartholomew Gosnold of Otley and America (by John Haden and Y7 Students of Woodbridge School, Suffolk).

Reviewer: Lizzie McWhirter, RE Adviser for Coventry Diocese

Review posted on: 4 June 2008

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