About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a steep learning curve or feels discouraged by a difficult task. It is a deeply moving tribute to the hunger for education and the resilience required to overcome systemic barriers. While the story is set in a grueling post-Civil War labor environment, its heart beat is the universal desire to unlock the world through literacy. Following young Booker T. Washington as he works in the saltworks, the narrative focuses on his internal drive to 'catch' the magic of reading. The prose is lyrical and evocative, making it an excellent choice for building empathy and appreciation for the privilege of schooling. It is perfectly suited for children ages 5 to 9 who are beginning their own reading journeys and need to see that persistence is the key to mastery.
