NightJohn
         This is certainly a novel in which history is not sugar-coated.  The brutal truths about the injustices committed on African Americans is told just as the events occurred. The author informs us that all �events written in [the] story are true and actually happened.�  Although the story is mostly about John, an adult man, the story is told through the point of view of Sarny, an eleven year old female slave at a plantation.  This is a characteristic of historical fiction for children and young adults.  Authors tend to tell the story through a young character in order to best get through to their audience.  Sarny is a spirited little
girl, concerned about those around her and unaware of the hardships that await her.  She constantly witnesses the horrible things around her (beatings, rape, malnourishment, death, etc.) and seems to be accustomed to this type of lifestyle.  She seems to be simply awaiting what lies ahead.  Despite all these things, she is someone who is curious about reading, and when John comes to the plantation, he begins to help her.  When she learns her first word, �bag�, her excitement gets John into trouble.  The owner sees her write the word on the dirt and does whatever it takes to get to the bottom of things.  It was against the law for Negroes to learn to read or write, and it was punished by dismemberment.  Readers learn that African Americans would risk losing their thumbs if caught writing during those times.
          The author�s talent in bringing the story to life truly helps young readers relate to the characters and to their suffering.  Students may be able to relate to the story because it is told by someone close to their age.  Very quickly, they will learn that life was very difficult for some children, and that learning to read and write was not as easy for them as it is nowadays.  �Nightjohn� is a story of courage. It is fast paced and strong, and full of history.  The story is brought to life even more through the dialog used by the main character.  Often times, there is a lack of subject to verb agreement, and some sentences are short and choppy.  For example, when speaking about the master�s dogs, she says, �The dogs be mean.  He feeds them things to make them mean. Blood things.� In this way, the author gives life to the character and allows it to feel more real to readers.  Newbery Honor books by this author include �The Winter Room,� �Hatchet,� and �Dogsong�.

Paulsen, Gary.  1993. Nightjohn. New York: Delacorte Press.  ISBN 0-385-30838-8.
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