Below is a book review of The Kidnapped Prince by Ann Cameron. This is part of Josie’s Joyful Book Reviews for Kids.
Full Title: The Kidnapped Prince: The Life of Olaudah Equiano
Author: Adapted by Ann Cameron (Original Author: Olaudah Equiano)
Series: none
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction, Biography
Book Summary
Olaudah Equiano is an African prince who was kidnapped with his sister as an 11-year-old boy from his home in Africa. He was sold as a slave and had the scary experience of being owned by many different masters–some who were kind, and some who were cruel.
Three days after Olaudah and his sister were captured, his sister was sold to a different owner, and Olaudah went almost crazy with grief. He had to travel for many days through strange parts of Africa before he was sold to whites on a slave ship headed to the Americas, where he was sold again in an auction.
After being a slave in the Americas, a sea captain bought him. He had a long and terrifying trip to Europe, but he met a new friend, Dick. When he was in Europe, Olaudah had the dangerous job of being a powder boy, hauling gunpowder to the gun decks on ships during the Seven Years’ War against France.
Over many years, masters, betrayals, and trials, Olaudah was set to wondering, “Will I ever be free again?”
Josie’s Thoughts on The Kidnapped Prince
I give The Kidnapped Prince four stars. It is a very moving book and opens your eyes to the cruelty of children in slavery.
It is well written and perfect for ages 10 and up. There is some violence in this book, so if you have a highly sensitive child, you might want to wait until he or she is older.
You would like this book if you like biographies or reading about slaves who overcome trials and hardships.
Similar Books and Recommendations
If you’re interested in The Kidnapped Prince, you can also check out similar books such as:
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- Squanto: Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla
- Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman? by Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick McKissack
- Stealing Home: The Story of Jackie Robinson by Barry Denenberg
- Phillis Wheatley: Young Revolutionary Poet by Kathryn Kilby Borland and Helen Ross Speicher (Young Patriots Series)
- Martin Luther King: The Peaceful Warrior
- George Washington Carver: The Genius Behind the Peanut by Camilla J. Wilson
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This is Review #11 in Josie’s Joyful Book Reviews for Kids.
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