I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery - Paperback

by Cynthia Grady (Author), Michele Wood (Illustrator)

A moving, memorable poetry collection shaped around the stories of enslaved people in America.

• Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) Nonfiction Honor List
• Bank Street College Best Children's Books
• NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books
• PEN Steven Kroll Award Shortlist
• Kirkus Reviews (starred)
• School Library Journal (starred)

This rich and intricate collection of poems chronicles the various experiences of enslaved people in the United States. Named for traditional quilt block patterns like Log Cabin, Cotton Boll, and Schoolhouse, each poem--ten lines of ten syllables each--mimics the square shape of a quilt block. Readers experience slavery in America through fourteen different perspectives, including a woman humming "Gilead" as she quilts, a mother losing her daughter to the auction, a child discovering the freedom of learning, and a young man fleeing on the Underground Railroad.

Brought to life by vivid, expressive artwork from Michele Wood, this stirring and eloquent book offers a timeless witness to the hardship endured by enslaved men, women, and children. Each poem is supplemented by historical information and notes on quilting, musical, and spiritual references in the text.

Author Biography

Cynthia Grady is a writer, poet, and former librarian at Sidwell Friends Middle School in Washington, D.C. She made her debut as an author with I Lay My Stitches Down in 2012, and her other titles include Like a Bird (Millbrook, also illustrated by Michele Wood) and Write Me (Charlesbridge). Cynthia currently lives in New Mexico. Visit her website at cynthiagrady.com.

Michele Wood is a painter, illustrator, designer, and writer. She received the American Book Award for her first book, Going Back Home (Children's Book Press), and the Coretta Scott King Award for the illustrations in I See the Rhythm (Children's Book Press). Her other books include Like a Bird (Millbrook, also written by Cynthia Grady), Chasing Freedom (Scholastic), and the Newbery Honor book Box (Candlewick). Michele lives in Georgia. Visit her website at michelewood.us.