Amazing Grace: The Story Behind the Song

Summary

Have you ever wondered how or why some songs get written? This book allows the reader to peek into the life of John Newton, composer of the ever-famous song Amazing Grace. Newton wrote the song in the 1760s; yet, it is still sung in churches, prisons, and at special events to this day. Throughout his childhood, Newton experienced God's grace in a variety of ways. By the age of four, he was able to read and knew the Bible well. His teacher and mother, however, passed away when John was just seven, leaving him in the care of his father, who at times was cold and distant. John was a rebellious teenager, one whom his father didn't know how to adequately handle. After trying his hand at several different jobs, John found himself a part of the slave trade, first as a servant who helped round up slaves that could be traded and last as the owner of his own slave trade business. During his multiple jobs, he gave up on God, believing that grace was not attainable for him because he screwed up too many times. He spent a large part of this time in trouble with various persons, usually his bosses. He was kidnapped and forced into the navy, something which was not uncommon at that time. Eventually he would gain freedom when a slave trade ship asked the navy to trade men. John was among the men traded to the slave trade ship known as the Harwich. He was treated very poorly by his new boss, actually treated more like a slave, even though he was an Englishman. When another Englishman came aboard the island, John's master was ashamed at being seen treating one of his own so poorly. He let John go to work for the new trader, who was hired by John's father to bring him home. During a violent storm, John cried out for God to have mercy. This would be the first time since becoming an adult when John called on God for help. Fortunately they survived the storm; however, they were thrown very off course and ended up in Ireland. He attributed his survival to God's grace. A second incident involving a ship that sank after he was called not to get on it would serve as further proof of God's grace. By age 23, he'd raised enough money to marry the girl he'd loved since the age of 17. After their marriage, he went back into the slave trade. He treated his slaves better than most other owners, but he still felt this guilt for being part of the slave trade. Eventually he would leave the slave trade when he caught a fever and had no choice. He met William Cowper, a famous poet, and together they wrote Amazing Grace  and other hymns known as the Olney hymns. Find out how the story ends and how John Newton played a part in getting rid of slavery in England when you read this book.

Personal Reflections

I've heard the song Amazing Grace all my life. It's one of those songs that I knew because I went to church but hadn't really given much thought. It wasn't until a fellow teacher of mine mentioned that the author of Amazing Grace was part of the slave trade when I really began to give it any thought at all. What an interesting and difficult life this writer had! I never would have guessed that such words came from a man who spent a good portion of his life not understanding God's grace at all. For anyone who has an interest in this type of story, I highly recommend it. You will find yourself surprised at how it all plays out.

Miracle's Boys by Jacqueline Woodson

Summary

Three-time Newberry Honor author Jacqueline Woodson delivers a novel about three brothers who are learning to cope with the untimely losses of both their father and mother and the struggles that come along with poverty, breaking the law, and having to grow up sooner than expected. Set in Manhattan, New York, this novel adequately depicts the heartache and frustration a real family might feel in a similar situation. Through the character of Ty'ree, Woodson captures how a very bright student would feel if he was suddenly pushed into the role of a parent and has to give up his dream of going to school. Through the character of Charlie (also referred to as Newcharlie in the novel), Woodson depicts the frustration and anger of a young boy who suffers from the realization that he was not present when either of his parents passed away and could do nothing to prevent it from happening. And finally, through the voice of the narrator, thirteen year old Lafayette, we see how it feels to have a brother who both ignores and dislikes you, to realize your socio-economic status is of the lower class, and to feel as if you are being blamed for the circumstances of your family. In the midst of everything, though, we embrace the moment when redemption is attained. Among the themes for this novel is the importance of family to get through difficult times.

Personal Reflections

I read this novel in one sitting from cover to cover. I found it to be very realistic. Woodson writes in a way that allowed me to play a movie in my mind of what was happening. Her characters are beautifully developed with real emotions, hardships, and thoughts. One might compare the story to S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, although the similarity would mainly be in that both are the stories of orpahned siblings being raised by the oldest brother. We see a second similarity in the socio-economic status of the families. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommended it to a student who checked it out immediately after I put it back on the shelf. A second student checked out Feathers, also by Woodson, because of the recommendation I gave Miracle's Boys. Read it and enjoy. This story is something both kids and adults, male and female, would appreciate. A quick read because it's not too lengthy and goes by very quickly. Check it out today!