Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free

By Alice Faye Duncan, Keturah A. Bobo (Illustrator)

Can one voice turn Juneteenth into a national celebration of freedom?

4.3/5 Goodreads · 775 ratings

32 pages

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Bookroo's summary

Opal Lee grew up in Texas, where Juneteenth was a cherished celebration of freedom. But when her home was burned down, she realized true freedom was still a dream. Determined to make a change, Opal embarked on a lifelong journey to gain national recognition for Juneteenth. Her story of courage and persistence asks: Can one person’s voice bring about change and unity? Follow Opal as she fights for a future where everyone is truly free.

From the publisher

The true story of Black activist Opal Lee and her vision of Juneteenth as a holiday for everyone celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many Americans had never heard of the holiday that represents the nation’s creed of “freedom for all.”

Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic—a drumming, dancing, delicious party. She knew from Granddaddy Zak’s stories that Juneteenth celebrated the day the freedom news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation finally sailed into Texas in 1865—over two years after the president had declared it! But Opal didn’t always see freedom in her Texas town. Then one Juneteenth day when Opal was twelve years old, an angry crowd burned down her brand-new home. This wasn’t freedom at all. She had to do something! Opal Lee spent the rest of her life speaking up for equality and unity. She became a teacher, a charity worker, and a community leader. At the age of 89, she walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C., in an effort to gain national recognition for Juneteenth.

Through the story of Opal Lee’s determination and persistence, children ages 4 to 8 will learn:

all people are created equal

the power of bravery and using your voice for change

the history of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, and what it means today

no one is free unless everyone is free

fighting for a dream is worth every difficulty

Featuring the illustrations of New York Times bestselling illustrator Keturah A. Bobo (I am Enough), Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free celebrates the life and legacy of a modern-day Black leader while sharing a message of hope, unity, joy, and strength.

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