Send One Angel Down

by Virginia Frances Schwartz

Book Overview

An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults Winner of a Parent's Choice Gold Award Abram knows only slavery, but from the moment he holds his baby cousin in his arms, he is determined... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823414841
• ISBN13: 9780823414840
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Holiday House
• Length: 163 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.7" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

Great Book

My Daughter really isn't into reading at all but "Send One Angel Down" has changed her mind. The story really kept her going and for once she enjoyed reading a book and now she doesn't complain about reading a book for school reports.

Send One Angel Down

"'Why do I look like I'm in the middle? Not as dark as you or as light as them. A different color altogether. What does that make me?'" When you look in the mirror and you see you, do you know who you are? Life has more secrets than we know about. In the book, Send One Angel Down, Eliza and her cousin, Abram, live every day of their lives trying to find out who they are and what their job in life is. Along the way, they encounter many problems that get in the way of their dreams. When Eliza is old enough to understand that she is different from the other slaves because of her pale skin and bright blue eyes, she wonders why she is so different. Her older cousin, Abram, tries to keep the details of her background from her because he wants to protect her from the pain and harsh realization that come with that background. Eventually, Master's daughter, Abigail, goes too far with her comments about Eliza's being different and Eliza forces Abram to tell her about her background. Once he tells her, Eliza doesn't want to believe him but she knows that Abram wouldn't lie to her. As Eliza grows up, Abigail becomes jealous of the young slave's beauty and tells Master Tuner to put Eliza out in the fields. Being out in the sun only makes Eliza's beauty greater and Abigail becomes even more jealous. To calm his daughter, Master Turner puts Eliza on the auction block. Abram and Aunt Charity, who is Eliza's mother, sneak out of the fields to watch the auction. At the auction a man, the "Swedelander" and a buyer from New York bid on Eliza. Who will buy Eliza? What will the man from New York do with Eliza if he bids highest on her? What about the Swedelander? What will he do with Eliza if he bids highest on her? If you like historical fiction, this is the book for you. What I liked about this book were the sub-plots that occurred and kept me interested in the story. Most readers will enjoy the way the author showed the strong bond between Abram and Eliza. Any teenager, boy or girl can read this book and stay interested because each character's thoughts are expressed in a thoughtful way. A 5-star book!

Young slave girl confronts the horrors of her existence

I really enjoyed this beautifully written, deeply felt story of the young, mulatto slave girl Eliza, who, stuck between being black and white, must struggle to find her way in a world of strife, inhumanity and prejudice. The lessons to be learned in these pages are as powerful as they are eternal. The author elegantly reminds us in this book that these lessons have yet to be fully realized.An excellent read for young adults.

Send One Angel Down

This book is well-written and very captivating. I thouroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it to everyone! It brings in to light the horrible doings of the slave trade, and is very compelling.

A spiritual, and enlightening experience!

This book takes place over 100 years ago during the awful time of slavery. Mixed in with the horrible experiences of being slaves, the two main characters, Abram and Eliza grow up together, yet grow apart. Abram is strong, yet able to handle being a slave for his entire life. Eliza is different. The circumstances of her birth and growing up were different, eventhough they were so closely entwined. I found myself taken into the plantation, and the birthing cabins and the auction blocks along with the characters in the book. I found myself in a different time and place; totally transformed. A wonderful book for all to read, and warm characters to grow to love.