Hopkinson, Deborah. Up Before Daybreak

[Mary]

This book shows nonfiction writing for young people at its best! Subtitled "Cotton and People in America" it is very smoothly written and very well documented. I also enjoyed the placement of the many pictures. I think this is a book which belongs on the Mock Sibert reading list. Anyone else read it yet? What do you think?

[lydia]

I would agree about Up Before Daybreak. The photographs are stunning and some of the pictures of kids are heartbreaking. It's a difficult topic to capture in one work, but the book is organized clearly to give readers a clear picture of how important cotton was in our history, and in the lives of so many people. I actually learned a lot I had never known before. I think you could use this book with a wide range of ages. I am a big fan of Hopkinson's Shutting out the Sky, and this is equally impressive.

[Andy]

I'll chime in here also to say I'd love to see Up Before Daybreak on the Mock Sibert list. The documentation is thorough, and at the same time the photos and the voices of the people really come through. It really does an excellent job of distilling this thread of history in a compelling format. Those pictures of kids in the fields and factories make you realize that this all took place not so long ago.

[Teresa]

An excellent informational book. I haven't read enough to push for a particular book yet, but this one is a strong candidate.