Grade 7-12 | Nonfiction | ISBN: 978-1-68265-354-8 | Lexile: 1040 | English

Emancipated: My Family’s Fight for Freedom:

Highlights:

• Deepens conversations about social injustices and racism
• Engages students in exploring their family histories to better understand their own unique cultures
• Inspires students to take pride in who they are and to respect the differences in others
• Teaches life skills such as leadership, initiative, and perseverance

Key features:

• Depth of Knowledge student questions aligned to Common Core ELA standards
• Engaging activities to support classroom learning related to social justice and diversity issues
• Primary sources to help students relate to history in a personal way
• Tips to help students explore their own family roots

About the Author:

Cheryl Wills is an anchor and senior reporter for Spectrum News Network’s New York 1 News. She is currently the host of the talk show, “In Focus with Cheryl Wills”. Cheryl is the only journalist in the history of the television network to conduct a one-on-one interview with a sitting President: Nobel Laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.

Cheryl Wills has traveled extensively, covering breaking news events, including the terrorist attacks of September 11, during which she reported from Ground Zero. She has reported from the White House and conducted interviews with Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, and many other global leaders. Cheryl has received awards from the New York Press Club and the Associated Press. She also received the Newswomen’s Club of NY Front Page award. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon personally presented the United Nations Foundation Prize to her in 2015 at the United Nations Correspondents Association gala.

Reviews:  

“Not many biographies are written by direct descendants of USCT soldiers, and that’s one of the many reasons this book is a treasure! Indeed, Cheryl’s passion for these warriors leaps off every page.”

— Dr. Frank Smith, Founder and Director, African American Civil War Memorial & Museum