Freedom in Congo Square

Written by Carole Boston Weatherford · Illustrated by R Gregory Christie

In 19th century Louisiana, slaves find brief freedom and joy in Congo Square every Sunday.

4.3 Goodreads · 2,838 ratings

34 pages· 290 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud· AD600L

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In 19th century Louisiana, slaves endure relentless toil, counting down to Sundays at Congo Square. Here, they escape oppression, embracing music, dance, and community. Discover the resilience and hope that thrived amidst hardship, as each day of labor leads to a cherished half-day of freedom. What stories and spirits come alive in this vibrant gathering place?

From the publisher

Chosen as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2016, this poetic, nonfiction story about a little-known piece of African American history captures a human’s capacity to find hope and joy in difficult circumstances and demonstrates how New Orleans’ Congo Square was truly freedom’s heart. Mondays, there were hogs to slop, mules to train, and logs to chop. Slavery was no ways fair. Six more days to Congo Square. As slaves relentlessly toiled in an unjust system in 19th century Louisiana, they all counted down the days until Sunday, when at least for half a day they were briefly able to congregate in Congo Square in New Orleans. Here they were free to set up an open market, sing, dance, and play music. They were free to forget their cares, their struggles, and their oppression. This story chronicles slaves’ duties each day, from chopping logs on Mondays to baking bread on Wednesdays to plucking hens on Saturday, and builds to the freedom of Sundays and the special experience of an afternoon spent in Congo Square. This book will have a forward from Freddi Williams Evans (freddievans.com), a historian and Congo Square expert, as well as a glossary of terms with pronunciations and definitions.