Lift Your Light a Little Higher: The Story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-Explorer - Hardcover

Henson, Heather

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 148142095X ISBN 13: 9781481420952

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2016

Synopsis

Grab your lantern and follow the remarkable and world-famous Mammoth Cave explorer—and slave—Stephen Bishop as he guides you through the world’s largest cave system in this remarkable homage to the resilience of human nature.

Welcome to Mammoth Cave. It’s 1840 and my name’s Stephen Bishop. I’ll be your guide, so come with me, by the light of my lantern, into the deepest biggest cave in all of the United States. Down here, beneath the earth, I’m not just a slave. I’m a pioneer. I know the cave’s twists and turns. It taught me to not be afraid of the dark. And watching all these people write their names on the ceiling? Well, it taught me how to read too. Imagine that. A slave, reading. But like I said, down here I’m not just a slave. I’m a guide. I’m a man. And this is my story.

About this title

About the Author:

Heather Henson lives on a farm in Kentucky with her husband and three children, and is the author of several critically acclaimed picture books and novels, including the Christopher Award–winning That Book Woman and Dream of Night.

Bryan Collier is a beloved illustrator known for his unique style combining watercolor and detailed collage. He is a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient for Trombone Shorty, Dave the Potter, Martin’s Big Words, and Rosa. His books have won many other awards as well, including six Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards. His recent books include By and By, Thurgood, The Five O’Clock Band, and Between the Lines. He lives in New York with his family.

Review:

This story whispers of the life of a man most contemporary Americanreaders should know but don't. Stephen Bishop, born circa 1821, had intimateknowledge of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, where he served as guide for visitorswho traveled far to tour the underground passageways. Despite the ban againstteaching slaves to read, Stephen acquired literacy and wrote his name on theceiling of Mammoth Cave by using smoke from a lighted candle. Henson weavesBishop's impressive scientific discoveries of cave life into the sparsenarrative, demonstrating the magnitude of his contributions despite that littleis known of his life or death. Collier's strikingly symbolic collageillustrations often draw a stark line between what appears above and below theground, emphasizing the covert nature of Bishop's achievements. Perhaps thebook's most memorable illustration appears when, speaking in Bishop's voice,Henson says that slaves are "bought and sold...same as an ox or mule"while overlapping silhouettes of black and brown textured faces appear withinthe collage cutout of an ox plowing a field. Rich backmatter will help youngreaders understand more about the historical context in which Bishop lived anddied. A story that recovers an important piece of African-American historyinextricably tied to the history of Mammoth Cave, a national monument visitedby 2 million people each year.(Picture book/biography 4-8)    --Kirkus, Starred Review

Underground, Stephen Bishop (born around 1821) was an intrepid explorer andleader, world renowned for his knowledge of Mammoth Cave, the largest cave sys-tem on earth. He discovered new species of sh and crawdads in the undergroundcaves and became the rst cartographer of the region. However, his skin wasblack, which made his aboveground identity in 1840s Kentucky that of a slaveknown simply as "Guide." In a rst-person ctionalized narrative, Bishop himselfguides us through his remarkable life story. Bishop's tone vacillates between pridein his accomplishments and growing legacy and a stonier tone regarding his life as a slave ("But being known is not the same as being free"). Speaking directly toreaders, Bishop tells of how he has become literate by showing the "fine folks"he leads through the caves how to write their names on the walls and ceilings with candle smoke ("And in return they teach me, sometimes, without knowingwhat's been taught"). Collier's deft watercolor and collage illustrations pay specialattention to perspective and lighting, the dark browns and burnt oranges of thecave contrasting with the bright greens and blues of aboveground. Collier alsotakes great care to place Bishop in the forefront of the cave scenes, whether it's afull portrait of his face or his intent gaze as he observes the tourists writing. is isa fitting tribute to a historical figure who led so many yet had to remain behind. Eboni Njoku   -- The Horn Book


This sensitive portrayal hints that every man and woman who walked this earth, free or slave, has a story worth telling. --Billie B. Little, BookPage Online

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 148142095X
• ISBN 13: 9781481420952
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Collier Bryan