Hush Harbor:
Praying in Secret
(CarolRhoda Books/Lerner, 2008)
author: Freddi Williams Evans
illustrator: Erin Bennett Banks

ISBN: 0822579650
Ages: 4-8


Awards / Recognition
• Booklist – Black History Preview 2008
"For those readers anxious to get a head start planning Black History Month activities or ordering relevant titles, ..." (12/15/08)

Reviews

School Library Journal – Curriculum Connections
Spring 2009
"Though they risk harsh punishment if discovered, Simmy and the other slaves determinedly attend a furtive nighttime meeting where they can worship as they choose—“singin' all the way through, shoutin' when the Spirit [rises] up…and prayin' to be free.” Told from a young boy's perspective, this dramatic story of faith and hope is illustrated with luminous stylized artwork."
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Library Media Connection
Jan/Feb 2009
"Simmy is excited to pass along word that there will be a "prayer meetin’" down in the woods. It lifts the spirits of the slaves to know that tonight they will be singing and praying, even dancing. But Simmy is also a little frightened at being asked to stand guard because white patrollers may hunt down the slaves and punish them for this gathering. As Simmy watches and listens from a tree, he hears the telltale sound of barking dogs. His warning sends the worshippers fleeing safely home, ensuring that they will continue to steal away to praise the Lord until freedom comes. There is only the mildest arc of a plot to Simmy's first-person storytelling, the climax coming when running footsteps turn out to belong to a runaway slave. However, there is great sincerity, warmth, and lyricism in this account of a common slave experience. Illustrations that saturate the pages in earth tones pose blocky figures on dynamically angled backgrounds and further convey the sense of community, fear, and hope of the text. This is particularly useful for American history studies. An author's note gives further context."
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The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Jan 2009
"The whispered word goes out among the slave community that tonight will be a prayer meeting in "hush harbor," a hidden spot in the cane break, far enough from the Big House that the master won't hear the soul-stirring singing and praise that's been forbidden under threat of whipping. This meeting is so important that the slaves arc willing to risk the light of a full moon-Mama Aku, the elderly woman who had raised so many as her own children, "is gon' join the nananom, the ancestors, anytime now," and she will need spiritual strength for her journey as she passes over. The narrator, young Simmy, has been entrusted with the post of lookout, and when he hears dogs approaching, he alerts the slaves to disappear into the woods. It's not his community the hounds arc tracking, though, but a runaway. The fugitive is directed to a cave where he can hide until danger passes, Mama Aku slips away quietly in her sleep, and the community is, at least for a while, uplifted by the strength of their faith. Evans offers young listeners a vivid portrayal of religious practice that melds African and Christian rites and beliefs, and she captures the determination of the slaves to worship, at great personal risk, as their spirit dictates. Banks' paintings, in autumnal greens, oranges, and golds, are strong enough to rivet even the last row of the story time crowd. The flat planes of the faces of her stylized characters seem to have been chiseled from rock and softened by time and hardship; thin strokes of bright orange and blue outlining add fiery drama to the nighttime scenes. A concluding note supplies additional information on slave religious meetings in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. While many fine picture books are available on slaves' perilous flights to freedom, this title celebrates the fortitude of those who could not run."
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Stories for Children Magazine – 5 Star Review
10/05/08
"This book was based on WPA (Work Projects Administration) interviews given by African Americans previously enslaved in the South - Mississippi, Georgia, Texas and Louisiana. Author Freddi Williams Evans grew up hearing stories from her relatives about their ancestor's lives as enslaved people in America circa the nineteenth century. This story explores a fact not often discussed - the extreme secrecy enslaved Africans endured to worship according to their tradition. "Hush Harbors" were the hidden places they would escape to, deep in the woods, to pray and be free - at least spiritually. Mama Aku was dying and asked others to pray for her safe journey to the other world. She was like a mother to all those in the slave community on the plantation, so the secret of a "meeting" that night in the Hush Harbor was passed along from one slave to the next. Uncle Sol appointed young Simmy to be the "Lookout" for the night, to make sure they weren't being followed into the woods and to ensure their safety throughout the meeting. Halfway through the meeting, Simmy hears dogs barking in the distance, so he alerts the group to be quiet. Did Simmy alert them quickly enough? Whose footsteps did he hear? You'll just have to read this fantastic book to see if Simmy and others eluded danger of being caught in the Hush Harbor. This book is chock full of "voice", dialect, and a real "feel" for the life enslaved Africans endured. The illustrations by Erin Bennett Banks are haunting. This book will be a real eye opener for your child regarding one of the darkest chapters of American history. However, author Freddi Williams Evans pulls it off in an upbeat and positive way. This book gets a high five from me for keeping my interest from beginning to end."
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In the Pages – blog
10/09/08
"I DO SO ENJOY these historical picture books. It is pure reading for enjoyment while learning something that WILL stick! This is a book on what African Americans had to go through to even worship together during times of slavery. Another book based on true events – powerful!"
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School Library Journal
11/01/08
"Enslaved Africans in the antebellum South were forbidden to gather for fear that they would plan uprisings so they met at night in secret locations called "hush harbors" to practice their religion. Evans captures the drama and tension of one such meeting as word is quietly passed through the cotton fields and anticipation builds. Simmy, a child assigned as lookout, describes the meeting, first with its joyful singing and prayer, the behavior of those moved by the Spirit, and the terror when the barking dogs of the "paterollers" are heard. Banks's highly stylized paintings are wonderfully expressive and amplify the deep emotion of the situation. Her palette of yellows and browns shows people who are swathed in moonlight yet avoids the dimness that night scenes sometimes have. An extensive author's note outlines African religion from the arrival of slaves in America to the founding of the First African Baptist Church."
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Booklist
11/01/08
"'Meetin’ tonight,' Uncle Sol whispers to his fellow slaves in the cotton fields. It’s going to be down in the hush harbor, where slaves sneak away to pray and praise the Lord. Evans takes a little-discussed topic—the faith practices of eighteenth-century slaves—and turns it into a moving narrative, if not quite a story. Young Simmy is given the job of lookout as the slaves gather to pray for Mama Aku, who is ill. As the worshippers sing and pray, Simmy spots a rustling in the bushes—it’s a runaway slave, who warns them about the dogs and guns of nearby slave catchers. Simmy’s quick actions allow the slaves to get home, where they learn that Mama Aku has died. Still, they’ll continue to pray, sing, and shout in the hush harbor. Illustrated with extremely stylized pictures that don’t prettify their subjects, this captures some of the fear and horror associated with slavery. However, it’s the detailed author’s note that will really give kids insight into the subject. A good choice for both religion and history shelves."
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Kirkus Reviews
11/01/08
"When enslaved Africans were brought to the United States, they brought with them their cultures and traditions. Slaveowners worked diligently to strip them of both, but the Africans found ways to maintain their history and evolve in their new environment; worshipping together secretly in remote locations was one of them. 'When the oil lamps went out in the big house and the overseers' cabin, folks who had a mind to go stole away one by one, with Uncle Sol leadin' the way.' A young boy narrates the tale of one such illicit prayer meeting, his joy and fear of discovery both clear in text and illustrations. Banks's oversized, almost muralistic figures reflect the strength of the Africans' spirits and their tremendous physicality. The red outlines used throughout evoke both warmth and danger as the characters steal away to their meeting place. Evans handles the issue with clarity, understanding and pride, briefly touching upon Africans' attempts to escape the slavery system. The author's note provides additional information for interested readers. This is a fine addition to any collection. "
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The Times-Picayne (NOLA) – blog
12/3/2008
"A hush harbor – the main setting of Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret, written by Freddi Williams Evans and illustrated by Erin Bennett Banks –was a hidden place used by enslaved African people during the 18th and 19th centuries, usually in a secluded wooded area away from the plantation buildings. Often forced to sit silently through the church services of their white masters, Africans needed a place to conduct religious ceremonies in a manner that better suited their traditions. In the earlier days, the worship focused on African deities and rituals, but as the Africans were converted to Christianity, they incorporated a more demonstrative praying style – including ring shouts, call and response, and clapping – into Christian worship. Praying in a hush harbor was extremely dangerous because the participants risked being beaten or sold if they were found out. Plantation owners feared that any gathering of the enslaved Africans might signal a plot or revolt.

"Well-known New Orleans author Freddi Williams Evans uses this historical background for her engaging story of a young boy named Simmy who is chosen by his Uncle Sol to be the lookout at the hush harbor while his family and their friends pray. The honor thrills Simmy but the responsibility is also daunting; he is well aware of what might happen if they are discovered by their master, Cap'n Bill, or the dreaded paterollers (slave catchers) who combed regularly through the remote wooded areas looking for runaways.

"This particular meeting is especially important because they are honoring Mama Aku, a beloved member of their community who is very old and thought to be on the verge of dying. Simmy becomes a hero when his good ears and quick response save the group from detection by a pateroller.

"This is a beautifully written, inspiring story told through the experiences of one young boy. As in her previous award-winning book, A Bus of Their Own, Evans illuminates a moment in African-American history. She captures not only the voices of individual characters but also the powerful connections between the people in the story that help them manage adversity with courage and pride. The faces of the characters are the focus of Erin Bennett Banks' illustrations, all drawn in bold, angular lines and set off against the richly colored background by bright touches of vibrant red outlining. This effect highlights the energy in the story. An enjoyably readable two-page author's note at the end provides additional information and puts the story of Simmy and his family in the larger historical context."
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Yellow Brick Road
Jan/Feb 2009
"Like the stories of flying, praying and singing were forbidden activities for slaves. This wonderfully illustrated story tells how Simmy is scout while the others sing 'Kum bah yah, my Lord, Kum bah yah . . .' and pray for Mama Aku who 'is gon’ join the nanabnom, the ancestors, anytime now. . . She asked us to pray for her journey and for freedom so nobody else will die a slave, like her.' Simmy indeed calls an alert, and when he encounters a runaway, Simmy help shim escape the patrol. The Author’s Note tells how 'hidden locations known as hush harbors (also brush arbors and hush arbors) became worship grounds for the Africans.' Don’t miss this one!"
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