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My Name is Not Friday Audiobook
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Publisher Description
A gorgeously written account of a freeborn black boy sold into slavery during the Civil War; think 12 Years a Slave for young adults.
Well-mannered Samuel and his mischievous younger brother Joshua are free black boys living in an orphanage during the end of the Civil War. Samuel takes the blame for Joshua's latest prank, and the consequence is worse than he could ever imagine. He's taken from the orphanage to the South, given a new name--Friday--and sold into slavery. What follows is a heartbreaking but hopeful account of Samuel's journey from freedom to captivity, and back again.
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“Dion Graham’s soft voicing of thriteen-year-old Samuel brings out all the heartache in his young life…Graham’s expert pacing, inflection, and lightly accented speech capture the pathos of this intolerable situation, allowing listeners to feel the cruelty of being forced to live as the property of those who can even take away one’s own name. An excellent choice for middle grade units on slavery, the book and Graham’s narration will aid young people in the exploration of this shameful chapter in American history. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
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“Walter masterfully constructs the world of the plantation and presents a large population of complex and distinctive characters, resulting in a rich, thought-provoking, and deeply satisfying book.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“The first-person narrative fleshes out the character of Friday (his slave name), while the compelling style keeps readers turning pages…Descriptive language adds excitement and uncertainty to Samuel’s journey.”
— School Library Journal (starred review) -
“Samuel’s endearing, immersive narration makes the novel a fascinating and unforgettable account of a brutal and shameful chapter in America’s history. A heartbreaking story about family, justice, and the resilience of the human spirit.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“Walter is more known for photojournalism and middle-grade writing, but his first foray into young adult literature knocks it out of the park. Samuel’s journey is nuanced and engrossing, told in beautiful language and embellished with well-researched details.”
— VOYA
Awards
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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About Jon Walter
Jon Walter is a former photojournalist with a special interest in social welfare issues. His debut middle grade novel, Close to the Wind, was chosen as the Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week in the United Kingdom. My Name Is Not Friday is his young adult debut. He lives in East Sussex, England, with his family.
About Dion Graham
Dion Graham is an award-winning narrator named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine. He has been a recipient of the prestigious Audie Award numerous times, as well as Earphones Awards, the Publishers Weekly Listen Up Awards, IBPA Ben Franklin Awards, and the ALA Odyssey Award. He was nominated in 2015 for a Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Narration. He is also a critically acclaimed actor who has performed on Broadway, off Broadway, internationally, in films, and in several hit television series. He is a graduate of Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, with an MFA degree in acting.