The People Could Fly // American Black Folktales

"The People Could Fly," the title story in Virginia Hamilton's prize-winning American Black folktale collection, is a fantasy tale of the slaves who possessed the ancient magic words that enabled them to literally fly away to freedom. And it is a moving tale of those who did not have the opportunity to "fly" away, who remained slaves with only their imaginations to set them free as they told and retold this tale. Leo and Diane Dillon have created powerful new illustrations in full color for every page of this picture book presentation of Virginia Hamilton's most beloved tale. Awards for The People Could Fly collection: "The well-known author retells 24 Black American folk tales in sure storytelling voice: animal tales, supernatural tales, fanciful and cautionary tales, and slave tales of freedom. All are beautifully readable. With the added attraction of 40 wonderfully expressive paintings by the Dillons, this collection should be snapped up."— School Library Journal Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (January 4, 1993) Language: English Paperback: 192 pages ISBN-13: 9780679843368 Reading Level: 10 - 11 years Grade Level: 5 - 12 Item Weight: 1.23 pounds Dimensions: 8 x 0.51 x 9.9 inches