Escape to Freedom:

A Play About Young Frederick Douglass

About This Book

This play tells the story of Frederick Douglass's childhood, and his eventual escape from slavery to freedom. But its focus is on the early experiences that made Frederick Douglass into a great American hero. Born a slave, Douglass, wants to learn to read more than anything. Trading his bread for white boys' schoolbooks, slowly he teaches himself to read and write. He goes on to teach other slaves. Illegal at the time, Frederick Douglass is punished severely. Still, he manages to find his way to freedom and dignity, and becomes one of the great African-American leaders of the 19th century.

The talented Ossie Davis invites children to participate in the telling of Douglass's life story through dialogue and song. He makes the story of Frederick's early years interesting and exciting, and gives readers an opportunity to experience history through a different genre, a play. Escape to Freedom is an easy read, fast paced and full of action, and is, of course, a wonderful selection to read aloud. The play includes a bibliography and is intended for readers, nine and up.