Jazzmen Lee-Johnson

Discover the incredible true story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last known survivors of the Atlantic human trade. Fifty years after the trade of enslaved people was outlawed in the United States, eighty-six-year-old Cudjo sat down with legendary writer and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston to share his firsthand account of capture, bondage, and survival. Now, this remarkable piece of history has been carefully adapted for young readers by award-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi. Through Cudjo's own words and powerful, striking illustrations, you will learn about his life in Africa, the harrowing journey across the ocean, and his enduring strength in the face of unimaginable hardship. This poignant middle grade biography provides essential historical context while honoring the resilience of a man who refused to let his story be forgotten. It is a deeply moving and invaluable contribution to our shared history.