The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Vaughan, Marcia , Vaughan, Marcia

Up the Learning Tree

32 pp. | Lee | September, 2003 | Trade ISBN 1-58430-049-3 $$16.95

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Derek Blanks & Derek Blanks. Young Henry Bell wants to learn to read and write, but it's illegal for him to do so because he is a plantation slave. Henry's chance comes when he is asked to escort Master Simon to school. He hides in a tree next to the schoolhouse window and listens in on the lessons. Oil paintings add depth to the somewhat contrived but interesting story of one young man's quest to become literate.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson