by: Paula Fox

Review done by:

Eamonn Meagher

Grade 6

Van Antwerp Middle School

Niskayuna, NY

The book I read was The Slave Dancer. Itís about a boy named Jessie. He and his mother and sister live in New Orleans. Their father died, and their mother makes dresses to support the family. Jessie also plays his fife by the dock to get a few pennies.

One day ,when their mom was making another dress, she asked Jessie to get some more candles from their aunt. Jessie doesn't like is aunt very much. But when he got there, he got the candles and started walking home. Jessie decided to go through the allies because then he wouldn't get trampled over on the streets.

On his way home, a piece of canvas was covered over his mouth . He was picked up and two men started to carry him down the alley. The two men took Jessie to a row boat and dropped him in. The men started rowing. Jessie tried to sleep since he was so tired. It was hard to sleep because it was so uncomfortable. By day break they got to a ship. Jessie found out that the ship was a slave ship and he was there to play music and dance the slaves. He would dance the slaves to keep them healthy.

There's a lot more to this story, and if you want to find out what happens you will have to read. I read it and I liked it I highly recommend this book. The Slave Dancer.