My name is Gage Bailey, and I am fourteen years old. I really liked the fact that the author added so much more information in this book, more than you can find in the textbooks we get in school. The title is perfect. There are more than just "Americans" who helped to make the history of our country and I think it is sad that we don't get to hear about them at school. We are all beads on the same string, and everything we do, no matter how big or small, makes history.
The only thing I wish is that the author would have added more of her opinion in the book. I do realize it is non-fiction, but I would have liked to know more about what she thought when she was researching and writing it. What she as surprised as me to find out such important and interesting facts? I really liked this book and I recommend it to anyone who loves History!
Because of Gage, I am able to remember and express the myriad of emotions I encountered while researching for Beads on a String – America’s Racially Intertwined Biographical History. There was joy, amazement, sadness, and quite a bit of anger garnered. You can't even imagine how excited I was while penning the invention section and learned it was a Black man who invented the super soaker. The simple water filled toy that brought us through a lot of hot summers. I can't think of a race that does not love to play with one of those.
To Gage I responded: I guess in essence you can say my love and enthusiasm for Beads on a String – America’s Racially Intertwined Biographical History can be compared to playing a good game of hide and seek with a loaded water gun at my side. The anticipation of something new being around the corner, the trepidation of running into the unexpected blast of knowledge and last, but not least, I feel the rush of triumph over the hidden enemy – ignorance and discrimination. No matter what anyone says, I love this book, I love America. With all of her faults and the many angry voices trying to tear her down, I believe in the people ... our beads.