Freedom to Read: The Story of Teacher Mary Peake and One Mighty Oak Tree
by Lesa Cline-Ransome · illustrated by James E. Ransome
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“A thoughtful double portrait that reaches forward and back.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
From Newbery Honor author Lesa Cline-Ransome and ALA Children’s Literature Legacy Award recipient James Ransome, this “important picture book biography” (School Library Journal, starred review) tells the story of Mary Peake, a courageous teacher who started a secret school for Black children.
So many found sanctuary in Mary’s secret schoolhouse. They found freedom in letters. In Mary’s teaching, they found a refuge.
Mary Peake was born free in 1823 in Norfolk, Virginia, and from a young age she hungered for learning. Mary attended a colored school in her youth, but when Virginia lawmakers outlawed education for colored students, both enslaved and free, the schools had to close their doors. Mary wanted nothing more than to share the gift of education, so she opened up her home as a secret school, risking punishment in order to teach.
When the Civil War broke out, Mary and her community found refuge in a Union camp, and Mary set up a new schoolhouse under the branches of a proud oak tree. Shoulder to shoulder, students of all ages gathered to hear Mary teach.
Mary’s crusade for education became a model for one of the first historically black colleges, Hampton University. Her story—part of “an important and often untold aspect of American history” (The Horn Book Magazine, starred review)—is a celebration of one woman’s sacrifices for the freedom to read
Details
- Publisher
- A Paula Wiseman Book/Beach Lane Books
- Author
- Lesa Cline-Ransome
- Illustrator
- James E. Ransome
- Format
- Hardcover
- Published
- Aug 25, 2026
- ISBN-13
- 9781534463509
- ISBN-10
- 153446350X
- Pages
- 48
- Carton quantity
- 30 copies
Freedom to Read for groups: pricing
Volume pricing applies automatically in your cart. No codes, no account needed.
| Copies | Price per copy | You save |
|---|---|---|
| 25 – 99 | $11.79 | 41% off list |
| 100 – 249 | $11.19 | 44% off list |
| 250 – 499 | $10.59 | 47% off list |
| 500 – 999 | $10.19 | 49% off list |
| 1,000+ | $9.80 | 51% off list |
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Volume pricing applies automatically in your cart, with no code needed. Price per copy: 25 to 99 copies, $11.79 (41% off list); 100 to 249 copies, $11.19 (44% off list); 250 to 499 copies, $10.59 (47% off list); 500 to 999 copies, $10.19 (49% off list); 1,000+ copies, $9.80 (51% off list). Need a different quantity, or a quote to forward for approval? Ask a specialist and we will confirm pricing before you pay.
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Freedom to Read: The Story of Teacher Mary Peake and One Mighty Oak Tree
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