They Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom

Gr 2-5–Cline-Ransome highlights the struggle many in the U.S. faced to access education and literacy, emphasizing the resistance and resilience of the enslaved, even amid their dehumanization; she brings to light a critical history and makes it accessible for younger audiences. This powerful picture book, enhanced by dynamic watercolor and line illustrations, tells a compelling story through narrative poetry. Teach learns to read alongside his enslaver then spreads that knowledge to empower those in his community. The images are vibrant and nuanced, pulling readers in and enhancing the emotional weight of the text. The poetic format makes this book a strong choice for integrating poetry into classroom units, whether as part of a dedicated study or in connection to social studies and history. Teachers will find this book particularly useful for preparing students to analyze paired passages or compare perspectives across texts. The back matter includes an author’s note and recommended further reading, which allows for deeper exploration of the themes. This picture book combines narrative poetry and beautiful illustrations to highlight the struggles for literacy and education among enslaved people.