This wonderful historical novel, by author
Rhonda Rucker, is told from the perspective of a thirteen-year-old slave boy
named Ben. It is geared toward middle grade readers, and offers a unique
narrative point of view for juvenile fiction that isn't explored enough. Below
is a short, short summary of the book.
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| Photo provided by author |
People
on the Lowndes plantation have heard of a woman known as Moses. There are tales
about how she leads folks to safety and freedom. When Moses starts showing up
at meetings, some are curious to know more, while others think it’s safer to
keep a distance from her. The war is on—can anyone be trusted? Still, no one,
including Ben, a thirteen-year-old slave, can ignore her message: “Be ready.
Freedom is at hand.” Even wish Uncle Minus says things are different now. And
though Ben doesn’t realize that Moses is actually Harriet Tubman, he does know
a dangerous secret about the soldiers that he wants to tell her. Then Ben’s
sister, who works in the Big House, learns another important secret: The
plantation owners know about Moses and they don’t like her moving about the
area and spreading her new ideas.
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| Photo provided by author |
Author Rhonda Hicks Rucker practiced medicine before
becoming a full-time musician, author, and storyteller. Rhonda performs with
her husband, James “Sparky” Rucker, adding vocals, piano, blues harmonica,
banjo, and rhythmic bones to their music. They appeared on the Grammy-nominated
CD, Singing Through the Hard Times, in
2009. Rhonda and Sparky have recorded ten albums together. Their 1991 release, Treasures & Tears, was nominated for
the W.C. Handy Award for Best Traditional Recording. Rhonda has been an author
since 1998, publishing articles in newspapers, magazines, and books. She was a
contributing author for the Encyclopedia
of Appalachia, published by University of Tennessee Press. In 2013, Highlights published her article, “Rescuing
Miracle,” and Motes Books published her debut novel she will be discussing with
my today, Swing Low, Sweet Harriet.
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to talk Rhonda today and offer one lucky person a chance to win a free copy of Rhonda's book.
Ann: Hi Rhonda. Thank you for agreeing
to be interviewed on my blog about your wonderful debut novel, Swing Low, Sweet
Harriet. Many people know about Harriet Tubman’s work with the Underground Railroad, but I’d never heard about her involvement as a spy for the Union
army. How did you learn about this particular part of Harriet Tubman’s life?
Rhonda:
Thanks
so much for having me, Ann! My husband and I are musicians and storytellers, so
we travel around the country and occasionally overseas for performances. About
twenty years ago, my husband was doing a solo performance in Savannah, Georgia.
(At the time, I had a day job in our hometown.) After the concert, Asa Gordon,
a historian and scholar, told my husband about Tubman's role as a spy and scout
during the Civil War. After verifying it, my husband began telling the story on
stage. The slaves in that region of the country were Gullah, retaining much of
their African tribal customs and heritage. According to their legend, they
wrote the song we've all heard, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. However, they
say they originally wrote it as Swing Low, Sweet Harriet, as a way of
honoring Harriet Tubman.
Ann:
Your
work as a storyteller and musician with your husband sounds really fascinating.
I’m surprised you could narrow down the scope of the story you wanted to tell
with that kind of background in folklore music.
Had you ever written any historical fiction before
tackling this novel? What went into researching it? Were you familiar with this
area of South Carolina?
Rhonda:
This
is the first novel I have ever written. I had originally written it as a
picture book. Somewhere along the way, I realized this story was better suited
for older children. I shelved the idea, thinking I would write it as a novel
someday. In June 2011, I went to a Society of Children's Book Writers and
Illustrators event in Lexington, Kentucky and told an editor about the Harriet
Tubman story. She loved the idea and asked to see the first chapter by October.
She provided the motivation I needed. For the next several months, I focused on
the novel, initially spending many hours researching the story. I used both
primary and secondary sources. In many ways, researching is easier nowadays
since some documents can be found on the Web. Sarah Bradford interviewed
Harriet Tubman and wrote two biographies of her in the 1880s, and I found those
online. I also found newspaper articles written after the raid. My husband's
copy of the Official Records of the Civil War was helpful. Some of my sources
are listed at the back of the book. During our travels, my husband and I
stopped a couple of times to view the area of the raid. Seeing the river and
the terrain helped me visualize the story.
Ann:
Wow!
So going to workshops and SCBWI events really paid off in this case.
Have you read other historical novels told from a slave’s
perspective that is geared toward this age group? Did you find it challenging
to tell a story from this perspective and a boy’s at that?
Rhonda:
I've
read other children's historical fiction from that time period, but I can't
remember ever reading one from a slave's perspective. I think it's always
challenging to write from a child's point of view. However, I enjoyed my
childhood, and I love using my imagination to put myself in a child's shoes. I
also like to empower children and make them realize that they can have a real
and important role in changing the world.
Ann: I
agree. I think it is a very important privilege of writing for children that we
can use this art form to empower and inspire them.
How long did it take to write this novel and find a
publisher for it? What advice would you offer to other writers struggling to
complete or publish their own first novel?
Rhonda:
I
think I first began writing the story as a picture book in 2010. I sent it to a
few publishers then before realizing it would be better told as a middle-grade book. I
began working on the novel in June 2011. I finished the first draft before I
sent the first chapter to the editor in October 2011. I did that because I had
heard that novelists often throw out their first two or three chapters after
realizing they have started the story too soon. I wanted to make sure the
chapter I sent to the editor was really my first chapter. By the time I sent
her the final copy, two years had passed, and I had done several revisions. I
know I was incredibly lucky to have my first novel published. I still can't
believe I ran into an editor who was interested in the story as much as I was.
In writing historical fiction, it's important to do meticulous research. Just
as important, though, is coming up with a compelling plot to capture the
reader. I think it's helpful to do both those things before beginning to write
the novel. Once you've decided on a plot and you have a good sense of the
historical events and time period, you can start writing. More research will
inevitably be needed as you write.
Ann: You
took your time with this first book to get it right and it certainly paid off.
It is a beautifully written story.
What new work do we have to look forward to from you in
the future? Will you publish with the same publisher?
Rhonda:
I
am currently working on another historical novel—a YA book based on the
Birmingham Children's March in 1963. I started this one two years ago, and it's
already undergone multiple major revisions. I'm currently looking for an agent
who would be interested in this book as well as future ones.
Ann:
Thank you so much for being a guest on my blog, Rhonda.
Rhonda:
Thanks
to you, Ann!
Enter for a chance to win a free copy of this great new book!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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