Unspoken by Henry Cole

Cole, H. (1955). Unspoken. New York: Scholastic Press.

When I was picking out picture books at the library I was in search of some that I could use in my classroom this coming week.  One of the books I was going after was a wordless book.  I love using wordless books in my room when we do lessons on illustrations giving us information.  I picked up the book Unspoken by Henry Cole.

This book is about a little girl that discovers a runaway slave in her family's barn.  She doesn't tell anyone about the stranger being there. The illustrations show her struggle in deciding what to do. Should she tell her parents (and the men that are looking) or should she do what is right and keep quiet to help the man.

Henry Cole uses graphite illustrations in the double spread picture book.  The illustrations create a suspenseful story that will keep my students interested throughout.  They fill the entire pages from corner to corner and keep the reader engaged. 

I give this book five stars!!!