I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl

I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl. Joyce Hansen. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1997. 204 pages. $ 10.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-590-84913-1. Grades 3-5.

 My Thoughts...

This is the first book I have read from the Dear America series and if the rest of them are as touching, authentic, and interesting as I Though My Soul Would Rise and Fly then I should really investigate them. I had actually read this book before and remembered loving it, but since it was so long ago that I couldn’t remember specifics I decided it deserved a reread. I am very glad I decided to do so. I actually met Joyce Hansen during in the Fall of 2009. She was friends with my children’s literature teacher and she came and spoke to our class. We learned about how she did her research to ensure accuracy and authenticity and how there were guidelines for the series. Anyway, back to the book…

I love when books are written in the format of diary. I love how it allows us as readers in to their head and their private world. This was especially true of this book, since Patsy was reading and writing in secret for so long. I was thrilled that the publishers created the book itself in the style of the diary, all the way down to the purple place marker and textured pages. I have read other diary style books, including Julia Alvarez’s Before We Were Free, but I felt like this book was more diary like. What I mean is that I think we got more of Patsy’s thoughts and emotions than retelling of what went on. I was tickled every time she asked the diary (and us) if we were laughing, because she was. I felt like she was really making this diary (and us) her friends. In addition to the style of the book I was impressed with the dialect and grammar that Hansen employed. It was not difficult to understand and it was not cheesy or contrived. Patsy’s speech was accurate for her time period and situation, especially because she had a stutter and no formal education.

I think the best parts of this book, however, are the historical significance and lessons and the themes of identity, acceptance, and growing up. The story of this book does talk about the tail end of the Civil War and Emancipation, so readers get to learn a little bit about what it was like. Rather than overwhelm readers with too many facts or a history lesson, Hansen incorporates small details. I also love that she included spiritual hymns and folktales. I think that the additional information at the back of the book provides a healthy supplement to the tidbits shared in the story. I think that the photographs will open readers’ eyes and I am sure they will think back to what they read and try to picture the characters. I think the importance of voice and identity make this book special and relatable to many readers. Although Patsy was smart and could read she wasn’t confident due to her situation as an orphan and ex-slave. While readers will not be familiar with this situation, I am sure they will recognize her feelings of loneliness and doubt. Patsy is scared about her writing and embarrassed by her speech, and I am sure young adults have their insecurities too. Patsy gathers strength and confidence from her loving community and eventually grows in to her own. This example of personal growth should inspire readers to take comfort in their family and friends and try to get over their fears. Patsy’s thoughts and words are funny, entertaining, heart warming, and sad while her story is educational and inspirational all at the same time. I think this is a must read for students, and it could be easily brought in to a classroom or library program.