Published by Hey Day Books
Assessed by Michael Leppert
Biddy Mason Speaks Up is a children’s/juvenile nonfiction biography that tells the powerful, true story of Bridget “Biddy” Mason, an African-American woman born into slavery who became a healer, midwife, entrepreneur, community builder, and civil-rights figure in 19th-century California. It was written by Arisa White and Laura Atkins, with illustrations by Laura Freeman, and is part of the Fighting for Justice series aimed at introducing young readers to historic changemakers.
What the Book Is About
- Early life and enslavement: The book begins with Biddy’s childhood on a Georgia plantation and follows her forced journey westward with her enslavers.
- Fight for freedom: When she reaches California — a free state — she learns her enslavers plan to take her to Texas (where slavery was legal). With courage and help from others, she successfully petitions for her freedom in court.
- Life after freedom: Once free, Biddy establishes herself in Los Angeles as a midwife, herbal healer, and entrepreneur. She purchases land, becomes one of the city’s earliest Black landowners, and uses her resources to support her community through philanthropy and civic leadership.
- Themes: The book explores slavery, racism, resilience, community healing, activism, and justice in an age-appropriate way. It doesn’t shy away from difficult history but presents it respectfully with context for young readers.
Style & Features
- The narrative is blended prose and poetry (often free verse) to make Biddy’s story engaging and approachable.
- Each chapter includes full-color illustrations and supplemental nonfiction sections with historical context, vocabulary, timelines, primary sources, and questions designed to help readers reflect on justice and their communities.
- The book is geared toward middle-grade readers (ages 8 – 14), but its message and historical depth make it meaningful for older readers as well.
Purpose
The book’s aim is both to educate and inspire — to fill gaps in American history education by telling the story of a figure often overlooked in traditional textbooks, and to encourage thoughtful discussions about freedom, power, and community responsibility.
If you want a visually rich, thoughtful biography of an extraordinary historic figure, that’s both informative and engaging for young readers, Biddy Mason Speaks Up is a prime example of such a work.
