Hammering for Freedom

The William Lewis Story
By Rita Lorraine Hubbard, John Holyfield
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 / African American & Black
  • 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
  • Lexile Measurement 870L
  • Reading Level Grades 2 - 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent

    • Resources

    Hammering for Freedom Teacher’s Guide
    Hammering for Freedom Teacher’s Guide

    People Also Bought:

    • Front cover for Giving Thanks by Chief Jake Swamp and Erwin Printup Jr.
      Giving Thanks
      A Native American Good Morning Message
      By Chief Jake Swamp, Erwin Printup Jr.
      Paperback: $11.95
      This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
      Giving Thanks

      Giving Thanks

      A Native American Good Morning Message
      By Chief Jake Swamp, Erwin Printup Jr.
      A traditional Iroquois celebration of the beauty and spirit of Mother Earth, as told by a contemporary Mohawk chief.

      View Details
    • Front cover for Journey Home by Lawrence McKay and Dom Lee; Keunhee Lee
      Journey Home
      By Lawrence McKay Jr., Dom Lee, Keunhee Lee
      Paperback: $10.95
      This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
      Journey Home

      Journey Home

      By Lawrence McKay Jr., Dom Lee, Keunhee Lee
      A biracial girl gains a new sense of identity when she travels to Vietnam with her mother.

      View Details
    • Front cover for La mascota de Pablo (Confetti Kids #9) by Sheri Tan and Shirley Ng-Benitez
      La mascota de Pablo (Confetti Kids #9)
      (Pablo's Pet, Dive Into Reading)
      By Sheri Tan, Shirley Ng-Benitez
      Paperback: $10.95
      This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
      La mascota de Pablo (Confetti Kids #9)

      La mascota de Pablo (Confetti Kids #9)

      (Pablo's Pet, Dive Into Reading)
      By Sheri Tan, Shirley Ng-Benitez
      En este nuevo libro de la serie popular Confetti Kids, Pablo aprende a hacer frente a la pérdida de su querida mascota con la ayuda de sus amigos y familiares.

      View Details
    • Front cover for I Had a Hippopotamus by Hector Lee and Hector Lee
        I Had a Hippopotamus
        By Hector Viveros Lee
        Paperback: $11.95
        This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        I Had a Hippopotamus

        I Had a Hippopotamus

        By Hector Viveros Lee
        A box of animal crackers inspires a Mexican American boy to imagine what he would do with an eclectic array of creatures.

        View Details
      • Front cover for Wat Takes His Shot by Cheryl Kim and Nat Iwata
        Wat Takes His Shot
        The Life & Legacy of Basketball Hero Wataru Misaka
        By Cheryl Kim, Nat Iwata
        Hardcover: $20.95
        This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        Wat Takes His Shot

        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
      • Front cover for I'll Build You a Bookcase (Vietnamese-English bilingual edition) by Jean Ciborowski Fahey and Simone Shin
        I'll Build You a Bookcase (Vietnamese-English bilingual edition)
        By Jean Ciborowski Fahey, Simone Shin
        Paperback: $10.95
        This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        I'll Build You a Bookcase (Vietnamese-English bilingual edition)

        I'll Build You a Bookcase (Vietnamese-English bilingual edition)

        By Jean Ciborowski Fahey, Simone Shin
        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

      This Book is Included in These Collections:

      View, Filter, and Sort All Collections
      ADA Site Compliance-Accessibility Policy