The Book of Negroes

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“My Culture, My History”

In this activity, students will gather family histories in an anthology entitled The Book of (Student’s Last Name).

The Book of Negroes uses a first-person point-of-view to tell the story of a woman’s brave and oftentimes graphic experiences during the historical period of slavery in Europe and America. She draws from her personal experiences as well as the stories of her family and native village to convey the vital issues of abolition and freedom. Although Aminata’s stories are from a different historical time period, she illuminates issues that are relatable in today’s world. What can the stories of our relatives tell us about our own culture and personal histories? Identify two members of your family who consent to being interviewed about interesting stories or narratives from their past. Draw connections to the things you have experienced within your family and compile your interviews into a first-person narrative similar to Aminata’s.

• Interview at least two family members. You may record their stories by hand or using a voice recorder.
• Transcribe the stories into a 2-3 page narrative that is connected by theme and topic.