The Old African
by Julius Lester
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Dial Books
A Reading and Discussion Guide
Prepared by Leigh Barnes, MLS
Pittsfield Massachusetts Public Schools
SUMMARY:
A group of African slaves stands in a semicircle watching as one of their own is whipped
mercilessly by their white master. Among the observers is the Old African, who reaches
out to the boy silently, magically, to take away his pain. None of the other slaves can
remember what it was like to be free in Africa, but the Old African can. He also
remembers being dragged from his bed in the middle of the night, tied and chained to his
neighbors, marched for days through the forest to the coast, and packed naked into the
hold of a ship like so much cargo for the long journey to America. When the whipped
boy regains consciousness and tells the Old African of the sight he saw when he ran
awaythe oceanthe Old African recognizes it as a sign to lead his people to freedom.
They are joined on their long march under the sea by the spirits of their ancestors who
perished there, finally emerging full of life and free again on the other side.
The Old African is inspired by a legend from coastal Georgia about a group of Ybo slaves
who walked into the ocean one day, saying they were going back to Africa. The text,
written at a 6
th
-7
th
grade reading level, is accompanied by lush and expressive watercolor
illustrations. Be advised, this book contains some profanity and violence.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. A common theme in books about slavery is survival in times of hardship. What are
some of the ways the Old African helps the slaves cope with the suffering in their lives?
2. After Mr. Riley whips Paul, he tells the other slaves that he is a good man, but this
is what happens when you push me too far (p.12). Do you agree that Riley is a good
man? Why or why not?
3. The author, Julius Lester, uses many similes to help the reader visualize what the Old
African sees. For example, he describes his wifes skin as ...softly black as a crows
flight (p.20). Find some other examples of similes in this book.
Massachusetts
Honor Book
2006
4. Water symbolizes several things for the African slaves in this story. What does the
ocean represent to the Old African?
5. Although it is based on a true event, there are many elements of fantasy in this story.
Name some of these unreal occurrences.
6. How does the style of the illustrations (including colors, textures, and shapes)
enhance the mood of this story?
7. When they decide to walk across the ocean floor to Africa, Daniel the Preacher says
to the slaves, I believe Ill take a chance on what I dont know rather than to keep on
livin with what I do (p. 65). Have you ever decided to try something new without
knowing if it would work?
ACTIVITIES:
1. Read The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox (Dell, 1973) for a comparison in point-of-view
of a slave ships journey.
2. Locate Nigeria and Georgia on a map. Calculate the distance between them, and
estimate how long it would take to sailor walkfrom one place to the other.
3. Write an evaluation of The Old African describing the emotional response you think
the author intended this story to have on its readers and how effective he was in this
effort.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Julius Lester (1939- ) has published over 2 dozen books of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry
for children. His other interests include music, broadcasting, photography, and teaching -
he has been an instructor at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst since 1971. Most
recently he received the 2006 Coretta Scott King author award for his novel Day of Tears.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Julius Lesters Home Page: http://members.authorsguild.net/juliuslester/
Glynn County, Georgia (location of Saint Simons Island and Ebo Landing):
http://www.glynncounty.com/History_and_Lore/
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Related books written by Julius Lester:
From Slave Ship To Freedom Road (New York: Dial Books, 1998)
Shining (San Diego: Silver Whistle, 2003)
Time's Memory (New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2006)
To Be a Slave (New York: Dial Books, 1968)
More books written by Julius Lester and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:
Albidaro and the Mischievous Dream (New York: P. Fogelman Books, 2000)
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story (New York : Dial Books, 1998)
John Henry (New York: Dial Books, 1994)
Sam and the Tigers: A New Telling of Little Black Sambo (New York: Puffin
Books, 2000)
The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit (New York: Dial
Books, 1987)
More Tales of Uncle Remus: Further Adventures of Brer Rabbit, His Friends,
Enemies, and Others (New York: Dial Books, 1988)
Further Tales of Uncle Remus: The Misadventures of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer
Wolf, the Doodang (New York: Dial Books, 1990)
The Last Tales of Uncle Remus (New York: Dial Books, 1994)
The Massachusetts Book Awards are a program of the Massachusetts Center for the
Book, the Commonwealth Affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of
Congress. Visit us on the web at www.massbook.org.
Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Center for the Book
