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    Nightjohn
    Sarny
    Audiobook series2 titles

    Sarny Series

    Written by Gary Paulsen

    Narrated by Lynne Thigpen and Michele-Denise Woods

    4/5

    ()

    About this series

    "To know things, for us to know things, is bad for them. We get to wanting and when we get to wanting it’s bad for them. They thinks we want what they got. … That’s why they don’t want us reading."—Nightjohn

    "I didn’t know what letters was, not what they meant, but I thought it might be something I wanted to know. To learn."—Sarny

    Sarny, a female slave at the Waller plantation, first sees Nightjohn when he is brought there with a rope around his neck, his body covered in scars.

    He had escaped north to freedom, but he came back—came back to teach reading. Knowing that the penalty for reading is dismemberment Nightjohn still returned to slavery to teach others how to read. And twelve-year-old Sarny is willing to take the risk to learn.

    Set in the 1850s, Gary Paulsen’s groundbreaking novel is unlike anything else the award-winning author has written. It is a meticulously researched, historically accurate, and artistically crafted portrayal of a grim time in our nation’s past, brought to light through the personal history of two unforgettable characters.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateFeb 28, 2014
    Nightjohn
    Sarny

    Titles in the series (2)

    • 2

      Sarny
      Sarny

      Sarny

      Gary Paulsen
      4/5 - 12 ratings
      4/5 - 12 ratings

      As the Civil War rages around the plantation where Sarny lives, she hears of other slaves running away. They are following the sparkling drinking gourd in the northern sky to freedom. She longs to go wherever she wants and to be allowed to read books, just like the freed slaves. But she has a young son and daughter to look after. When the master sells her children to a stranger, Sarny waits for an opportunity to sneak away to search for them. Her chance comes after a Union soldier kills the master. But is it too late for Sarny to find her family? A turbulent time in America's history bursts colorfully from the pages with award-winning author Gary Paulsen's masterful storytelling. Sarny is his riveting account of an African-American woman's life story from the Civil War days until the early 1930s. Narrator Lynne Thigpen's stunning performance puts you on the scene with Sarny as she builds a new life in the chaotic aftermath of the war. Also available by Gary Paulsen: Nightjohn.

      As the Civil War rages around the plantation where Sarny lives, she hears of other slaves running away. They are following the sparkling drinking gourd in the northern sky to freedom. She longs to go wherever she wants and to be allowed to read books, just like the freed slaves. But she has a young son and daughter to look after. When the master sells her children to a stranger, Sarny waits for an opportunity to sneak away to search for them. Her chance comes after a Union soldier kills the master. But is it too late for Sarny to find her family? A turbulent time in America's history bursts colorfully from the pages with award-winning author Gary Paulsen's masterful storytelling. Sarny is his riveting account of an African-American woman's life story from the Civil War days until the early 1930s. Narrator Lynne Thigpen's stunning performance puts you on the scene with Sarny as she builds a new life in the chaotic aftermath of the war. Also available by Gary Paulsen: Nightjohn.

    • 2

      Nightjohn
      Nightjohn

      Nightjohn

      Gary Paulsen
      4/5 - 39 ratings
      4/5 - 39 ratings

      "To know things, for us to know things, is bad for them. We get to wanting and when we get to wanting it’s bad for them. They thinks we want what they got. … That’s why they don’t want us reading."—Nightjohn "I didn’t know what letters was, not what they meant, but I thought it might be something I wanted to know. To learn."—Sarny Sarny, a female slave at the Waller plantation, first sees Nightjohn when he is brought there with a rope around his neck, his body covered in scars. He had escaped north to freedom, but he came back—came back to teach reading. Knowing that the penalty for reading is dismemberment Nightjohn still returned to slavery to teach others how to read. And twelve-year-old Sarny is willing to take the risk to learn. Set in the 1850s, Gary Paulsen’s groundbreaking novel is unlike anything else the award-winning author has written. It is a meticulously researched, historically accurate, and artistically crafted portrayal of a grim time in our nation’s past, brought to light through the personal history of two unforgettable characters.

      "To know things, for us to know things, is bad for them. We get to wanting and when we get to wanting it’s bad for them. They thinks we want what they got. … That’s why they don’t want us reading."—Nightjohn "I didn’t know what letters was, not what they meant, but I thought it might be something I wanted to know. To learn."—Sarny Sarny, a female slave at the Waller plantation, first sees Nightjohn when he is brought there with a rope around his neck, his body covered in scars. He had escaped north to freedom, but he came back—came back to teach reading. Knowing that the penalty for reading is dismemberment Nightjohn still returned to slavery to teach others how to read. And twelve-year-old Sarny is willing to take the risk to learn. Set in the 1850s, Gary Paulsen’s groundbreaking novel is unlike anything else the award-winning author has written. It is a meticulously researched, historically accurate, and artistically crafted portrayal of a grim time in our nation’s past, brought to light through the personal history of two unforgettable characters.

    Author

    Gary Paulsen

    Gary Paulsen (1931–2021) was one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers, author of three Newbery Honor titles, Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He wrote over 100 books for adults and young readers. 

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