A Heart on Fire - by Jan Lower (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Meet abolitionist Benjamin Lay--the man who changed the Quakers' hearts and minds about slavery. This nonfiction picture book for kids ages 7-10 about a man who didn't mind being different, in both how he looked and what he believed.

From the time he was young, Benjamin Lay's heart burned for justice. Only about four feet tall, he knew what it was to be different, and he believed firmly in the equality of all people. The young Quaker was troubled by stories of cruelty and terror on slave ships that he heard about as a sailor. And when he moved to the island of Barbados from England, he quickly saw those ships were only the beginning of the horrors of enslavement. Benjamin began to speak out against enslavement, particularly against other Quakers who owned slaves, which led to him and his wife being forced to leave both Barbados and England.

Settling in Pennsylvania, Benjamin began a campaign to change his community's mind about enslavement. He protested, he boycotted sugar and tobacco, he called out those who owned slaves, and he wrote books explaining his views, published by his friend Benjamin Franklin. He made many enemies and endured hardships. But slowly, slowly, he changed the hearts of his whole community, convincing American Quakers of the evils of enslavement.

Review Quotes

"A captivating look at a little-known historical figure, this biography introduces young leaders to anti-enslavement activist Benjamin Lay... A useful and novel addition to biography collections that would support lessons on protest and civic awareness."--School Library Journal

"Lower imbues a lesser-known historical figure with personality and punch, drawing emotional weight from Lay's passionate indictment of slavery while bringing a bit of levity in his eccentric antics. The text is direct but hardly dry, and the included quotes from Lay's books and writings add further authenticity and character. The illustrations, rendered in colored pencil and Procreate, have a painterly richness, with deeply saturated pages, earthy tones, and impactful shading... Educators and readers looking for information on the early anti-slavery movements in colonial times will find this an interesting and focused resource."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Beccia's lively, full-color illustrations help readers imagine the Lays and their travels, while the author provides an engaging introduction to Benjamin Lay, his wife, and how they convinced their opponents to accept their viewpoints... An informative account of a fiery, lesser-known abolitionist."--Booklist

About the Author

Jan Lower is the author of several nonfiction picture books for children, including A Song for the Cosmos and The Brilliant Calculator. Before becoming a children's writer, Jan worked as a lawyer in Washington, DC, for several years. She received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Carlyn Beccia is an author, illustrator, and journalist. Beccia's children's books, including Monstrous, The Raucous Royals, I Feel Better with a Frog in My Throat, and They Lost Their Heads, have won numerous awards including the Golden Kite Honor, the International Reading Association's Children's and Young Adult Book Award, and the Cybils Award.