Hammering for Freedom

The William Lewis Story

By Rita Lorraine Hubbard, John Holyfield

3
3
Teacher’s Guide

Hardcover: $19.95

The inspirational story of William “Bill” Lewis, a hardworking blacksmith who slowly saved his money and bought the freedom of each and every member of his enslaved family.

Description

Born into slavery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, William “Bill” Lewis learned the blacksmith trade as soon as he was old enough to grip a hammer. He proved to be an exceptional blacksmith and earned so much money fixing old tools and creating new ones that he was allowed to keep a little money for himself. With just a few coins in his pocket, Bill set a daring plan in motion: he was determined to free his family.

Winner of Lee & Low’s New Voices Award, Hammering for Freedom tells the true story of one man’s skill, hard work, and resolve to keep his family together.

About the Creators

Rita Lorraine Hubbard

Rita Lorraine Hubbard is the author of a number of nonfiction books for young adults and runs the children's book review site Picture Book Depot and the historical site The Black History Channel. While researching her book African Americans of Chattanooga: A History of Unsung Heroes, Hubbard discovered William "Bill" Lewis’s story buried in some earlier history books. She was greatly moved by Lewis’s love of his family and determination to overcome the odds. Hubbard lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. You can find her online at ritahubbard.com.

John Holyfield

John Holyfield is a fine artist whose work has been described as having a strong southern feel that captures the essence of rural life. The main themes in his art are family, spirituality, and culture. In creating this book, Holyfield spoke to a blacksmith/farrier for additional insight about the craft. Holyfield lives with his family in West Virginia. His website is johnholyfield.com.

Awards

New Voices Award Winner
Lee & Low Books
ALSC Notable Children's Books
American Library Association (ALA)
CCBC Choices
Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Reviews

* "Powerful and uplifting; William Lewis should be a household name."
- Kirkus Reviews
* "A well-crafted picture book biography that belongs in every elementary nonfiction collection."
- School Library Journal
* "Handsomely illustrated with both vigor and tenderness, this is a terrific combination of words and art. Lewis is perhaps one of those hidden figures, but his determination, resolution, and smarts are all on display here."
- Booklist
"This is an inspiring and worthy picture-book biography of a man and his dreams fulfilled."
- The Horn Book

Hardcover

ISBN 9781600609695

Price $19.95

Publication Date Sep 25, 2018

Trim Size 8.5 × 10.5 in

Weight 1 lbs

Page Count 32

Interests

Imprint Lee & Low Books

Audience Children

BISAC Category 1 JNF / History / United States / 19th Century

BISAC Category 2 JNF / People & Places / United States / African American

BISAC Category 3 JNF / Biography & Autobiography / General

Themes African / African American / Black, Biography / Memoir, Dreams & Aspirations, Families, History & Civics, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Occupations, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Slavery, Social Justice & Activism, United States History

Reading Levels

Age Range Ages 7 - 11

Grade Range Grades 2 - 7

Guided Reading U

ATOS Book Level 4.6

DRA 44

Interest Level Grades 2 - 7

Lexile Level 870

Reading Level Grades 2 - 4

Bebop Reading Fluent

Resources

Hammering for Freedom Teacher’s Guide

People Also Bought:

Wat Takes His Shot
The Life & Legacy of Basketball Hero Wataru Misaka
By Cheryl Kim, Nat Iwata
Hardcover: $20.95
Format
Hardcover$20.95
Clear

Wat Takes His Shot quantity
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Wat Takes His Shot
The Life & Legacy of Basketball Hero Wataru Misaka
By Cheryl Kim, Nat Iwata
The stirring biography of Japanese American basketball star Wataru Misaka--the first person of color to play in the NBA!

Audiobook Edition

View Details
- Teacher’s Guide
The Story of Banker of the People Muhammad Yunus
By Paula Yoo, Jamel Akib
Paperback: $8.95
Format
Paperback$8.95
Clear

The Story of Banker of the People Muhammad Yunus quantity
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
The Story of Banker of the People Muhammad Yunus
By Paula Yoo, Jamel Akib
- Teacher’s Guide
This new entry in the innovative "Story" line of chapter-book biographies focuses on Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who revolutionized global antipoverty efforts by developing the innovative economic concept of micro-lending.

View Details
- Teacher’s Guide
I'll Build You a Bookcase (Mandarin-English bilingual edition)
By Jean Ciborowski Fahey, Simone Shin
Paperback: $10.95
Format
Paperback$10.95
Clear

I'll Build You a Bookcase (Mandarin-English bilingual edition) quantity
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
I'll Build You a Bookcase (Mandarin-English bilingual edition)
By Jean Ciborowski Fahey, Simone Shin
- Teacher’s Guide
In this charming bilingual picture book, children and their caregivers work together to build home libraries and discover the magic and wonder of reading books.

View Details
Seven Golden Rings
A Tale of Music and Math
By Rajani LaRocca, Archana Sreenivasan
Out of Stock This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Seven Golden Rings
A Tale of Music and Math
By Rajani LaRocca, Archana Sreenivasan
In this clever, convivial picture book, an Indian boy untangles a mathematical conundrum to win a place at the Rajah's court.

View Details
- Teacher’s Guide
I'll Build You a Bookcase / Te haré tu propio librero (Spanish-English bilingual edition)
By Jean Ciborowski Fahey, Simone Shin
Hardcover: $19.95
Format
Hardcover$19.95
Clear

I'll Build You a Bookcase / Te haré tu propio librero (Spanish-English bilingual edition) quantity
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
I'll Build You a Bookcase / Te haré tu propio librero (Spanish-English bilingual edition)
By Jean Ciborowski Fahey, Simone Shin
- Teacher’s Guide
In this charming bilingual picture book, children and their caregivers work together to build home libraries and discover the magic and wonder of reading books.

En este encantador libro bilingüe, niños y sus cuidadores trabajan juntos para construir un librero y descubren la magia y la maravilla de leer libros.

View Details
¿Quieren jugar? (Confetti Kids #2)
(Want to Play?, Dive Into Reading)
By Paula Yoo, Shirley Ng-Benitez
Paperback: $10.95
Format
Paperback$10.95
Clear

¿Quieren jugar? (Confetti Kids #2) quantity
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
¿Quieren jugar? (Confetti Kids #2)
(Want to Play?, Dive Into Reading)
By Paula Yoo, Shirley Ng-Benitez
En este libro de la popular serie Confetti Kids, Pablo y sus amigos se divierten en el parque, pero no pueden ponerse de acuerdo sobre el juego perfecto para todos.

In this early chapter book, part of the Confetti Kids series, a diverse group of kids decide to play pretend. There's no limit to what they imagine they can be!

View Details