I've always been fascinated by the story of the Clotilda and a piece of history that isn't fully if ever discussed. I love that it's had a bit of a resurgence (insurgence?) into mainstream culture and this is a really great book to understand the basic logistics and people but in the form of a kid friendly book. It was appropriate for my younger kids who understand the basics of slavery and the Civil War era America but giving details and information that I don't know that I'd read or seen previously. There were pictures and graphics that made the book easy to read and fully informed without feeling overwhelming.

#arc
#netgalley
#findingtheclotilda

<b>**</b> <i>This was an ARC that was unreadable [no text, photos, or illustrations, it was completely blank] when opened [to read before the due date], therefore I had to wait until it was published to find it online [I used Scribd for this read]. While I was initially disappointed, I am glad I was able to easily find it and read it. The review is below. </i> <b>**</b>

This is a really great way to introduce children to the story of the Clotlilda, the people that survived the trip from Africa, and the life they built in Africatown after their enslavement was over.

Written in a way that will encourage conversation at the time of reading [as well as farther down the road as I am sure many children will want to hear this story again and discuss it at length, as well as seeking out other books about this subject and slavery overall], it is a really great way to introdue talk about slavery and what that meant [then AND now], and how the slaves arrived here [even after the international slave trade was abolished] and the conditions they endured and then what happened after the Civil War and they received their freedom and what that TRULY meant. The glossary and book referrals at the end will be helpful as well, if one want to seek out more information on this subject.

Filled with both illustrations and photographs, this was a well-written and well-researched book that both adults and children [especially history-minded ones] will enjoy learning from.

Well done!

Thank you to NetGalley, Anitra Butler-Ngugi, and Capstone for providing this [unreadable] ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy!

Having children at the ages this book is geared toward, I had them help me with reading this one. Our consensus is that it definitely read like a nonfiction book; the flow was not overly cohesive yet that didn’t take away from the knowledge imparted. I certainly learned some things, as did they. Interesting read about a challenging part of American history.

This book was well researched and written to be concise, which is important for its main audience - late elementary students / middle schoolers. The text tells the story of the 110 people who were enslaved in 1860 and brought over (illegally) to the United States. After Juneteenth, they were freed, but couldn't afford to go back home to West Africa, so they established their own community - Africatown.

The book continues on to tell the story of what happened to the people who have lived in Africatown for generations and their struggle to ensure that their land is recognised as a historical site - a designation that was given in 2012.

I would recommend that this book be added to classrooms and given to 4/5th graders + to read.

Finding the Clotilda is an informative book that covers the history of the ship and the enslaved Africans brought over in 1860. The book also brings to life the community that the 110 Africans created after the American Civil War. Butler-Ngugi discusses the success of Africatown and the challenges facing the community. This books speaks of the resilience of the Africatown community.

A fascinating, if short look at one community of Africans who where brought here as slaves and decided to make America their home, even after the way it had treated them.

This was a great non-fiction story meant for young readers about the discovery of the remains from the Clotilda. There’s a brief explanation on the circumstances of the ship and how it got there, along with the impact it had.

The author did an incredible job portraying acts of resistance and the community of Africatown. This would be a perfect story to add to a school’s collection.

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Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

Loved this book. It was geared towards the ages of 8-11. I think it’s perfect for my nieces and nephews. I would also recommend this for someone to become introduced to the Clotilda story. It’s easily digestible. You follow a brief journey of the circumstances on how the ship got here and the present day impact.

This was a unique look at a shameful event that took place 5 years before the ending of slavery. The subject matter is dark and sometimes uncomfortable, but very important as a historical record. Africans were kidnapped and shipped illegally to the United States on the ship Clotilda. To hide the crime, the boat was taken upstream and burned. Where it sank was a mystery until researchers and divers began the hunt for this historical wreck. Illustrations and photographs were helpful to the story which covered the time the enslaved families were brought to the US to the descendants and existing settlement of the survivors.

This story was interesting. I have never heard of the Clotilda or Africatown. It was a short read and I noticed in the bibliography that a journalist also wrote a book about it so i am going to read that too.

In 1860, well after the trafficking of enslaved people ended, the Clotilda sailed into the Gulf of Mexico to Alabama. Her cargo was kidnapped Africans purchased by an American. These human beings were hidden (because it was illegal to import enslaved human beings) then sold again. Meanwhile, the Clotilda was taken upstream and set on fire to hide the crime. After five years of enslavement, these victims were freed whereupon they formed a community known as Africatown. This community still exists today and its residents have successfully advocated for a cleaner environment and the discovery of the sunken Clotilda.

“After the Clotilda” is an easy-to-understand history about the community of Africatown. It includes a glossary, explanation of environmental racism, and a list of selected resources. The visuals include contemporary and historical photographs, along with drawings and paintings.

The book is an important read to better understand the history of the United States and the State of Alabama. It speaks not only to crimes committed, but also to the resilience and commitment to justice of the people of the Africatown community.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Capstone Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I began learning about the Clotilda through Zora Neale Hurston's book "Barracoon." After reading that book and following Kossola's story, I read Ben Raines' book "The Last Slave Ship," but I still wanted to know more. "After the Clotilda" was my next stop.

"After the Clotilda" is a fantastic book to serve as an introduction to the Clotilda and Africatown, especially for young readers. Filled with pictures (both of the time and the present) and informational charts, this book will educate young readers about the passengers of the Clotilda before and after their forced journey. As a genealogist and amateur social historian, I was fascinated by the deep dive into the history of Africatown. I was also pleased to see "The Last Slave Ship" amongst the Bibliography, in addition to some other books I intend to check out.

This is a topic not generally covered in children's nonfiction books, so I am glad to see author Anitra Butler-Ngugi presenting this information in an easy to understand format for kids aged 8-11.

Structure/formatting 4.5/5
Thoroughness of research 4.5/5
Storytelling 5/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Prior Knowledge Needed 5/5

I had learned some of the history of the Clotilda before, however not to this depth. The text was informative, visual, and talked about the impacts slavery has had on the community (and, ultimately, the country). The author did a wonderful job highlighting acts of resistance and the idea of community in this book. My students are often asking to learn more about black history, and I think this book will make a good addition to the classroom book shelf.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

A great title to add to any children's library. I did not know anything about Clotilda until reading this book and I found that even as an adult the information was laid out in a simplistic way of understanding while gaining empathy for the community. It was very eye opening to read about environmental racism and I feel that a teacher could easily design research projects with this as an anchor text or source. There is a glossary, bibliography, and index provided.

How did I not already know about this important and unique historical community?? In the US, in Alabama, there is a town that was created by people who were kidnapped and brought over the sea in secret because it was no longer allowed. Even the sailors didn't know and demanded higher wages when they learned their true mission.
The author uses original sources and photographs to show the people who are part of this amazing story. The place is still there and its residents continue to fight for their safety and autonomy, which got a boost when their ship, the Clotilda, was found.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this