Up the Learning Tree

Written by Marcia Vaughan Crews · Illustrated by Derek Blanks

A young slave risks everything to uncover the power of words.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 59 ratings

32 pages

$10.95Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

In the pre-Civil War South, young Henry Bell defies the harsh rules forbidding enslaved children from reading. Driven by curiosity, he secretly listens to a teacher's stories, igniting his determination to learn. As Henry embarks on a dangerous journey to literacy, he forms an unexpected friendship that transforms his life. Will his quest for knowledge lead to freedom or peril? Discover a tale of courage and hope in a world where the right to learn is a forbidden dream.

From the publisher

Henry Bell is not allowed to learn to read and write. In fact, most enslaved children, like him, are severely punished if they are even caught with a book. Henry Bell is not allowed to learn to read and write. In fact, most enslaved children, like him, are severely punished if they are even caught with a book. But Henry is curious. He suspects there is something powerful in books, and he wants to know what it is.One day Henry finishes his chores quickly, then runs to the schoolhouse. He hides in a sycamore tree just as the teacher begins reading a story. His heart pounds as he listens with astonishment, and right then he makes up his mind to learn to read. Henry’s fierce determination and bravery in the face of serious consequences lead him to a special friendship, and a journey of discovery that changes his life forever.Set in the pre-Civil War South, Up the Learning Tree is a story of hope and humanity during difficult times, and a poignant reminder that the freedom to learn should never be taken for granted.Marcia Vaughan was inspired to write Up the Learning Tree after reading Civil War-era oral histories of former enslaved people, many of whom risked their lives to learn to read and write.

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