Priscilla and the Hollyhocks

Written by Anne Broyles
Illustrated by Anna Alter

National Council for Social Studies Notable Trade Book

A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

Charlesbridge Publishing 2008

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Priscilla is a slave in the Big House. The hollyhocks her mother planted by the cow pond are all Priscilla has left to remember her by. When Master dies, Priscilla is sold to a Cherokee family. Another plantation, same life.

Based on a true story, Priscilla and the Hollyhocks follows Priscilla from her early years on a Southern plantation to her forced march along the Trail of Tears to the chance encounter that leads to her freedom. On her journey from slave to free woman, Priscilla carries something precious with her: hollyhock seeds. . . and hope.

To download a CURRICULUM AND ACTIVITY GUIDE for this book click here. This includes the following subjects:
* Language Arts_____* Social Studies
* Geography_________* Music
* Art

Find out how Anna painted an illustration for Priscilla! Watch a MOVIE of Anna making a painting for this book by clicking here.

"Priscilla and the Hollyhocks tells a story too often ignored or overlooked- a story of how the west was not won but captured. Reading about Priscilla's remarkable life makes all our hearts a bit warmer while filling our heads with a much-needed piece of American history."

-Nikki Giovanni, poet

"Alter's appealing acrylic illustrations, rendered in single and double-page spreads, and framed close-ups, elevate the emotion of the story and echo the flattened perspective and thick outlines of folk art."

-Booklist