Books Like Once on This River
Families who loved Once on This River by Sharon Dennis Wyeth often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Once on This River by Sharon Dennis Wyeth often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is starting to ask complex questions about family history, or when they are ready to explore the painful realities of slavery through a deeply personal lens. It is an essential choice for families navigating the transition from simple historical narratives to the nuanced truth of human rights and systemic injustice. The story follows eleven-year-old Monday as she travels from Madagascar to New York in 1760. Along the journey, she is forced to confront the brutal reality of the slave trade and a shocking secret about her own lineage. This is a powerful tool for building empathy and understanding identity, best suited for children ages 10 to 13 who are prepared for a serious, though ultimately resilient, exploration of historical trauma and the meaning of family.
