Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend

 

     Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend, was written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud and illustrated by John Holyfield. The genre this book would be classified in is historical fiction. Historical fiction is the best fit, because it depicts life and actual events from the past. The characters and setting are also characteristics of historical fiction. This book is based in a small town in Alabama called Gee's Bend. A young boy and his mother travel to Gee's Bend for shopping; however, Alex is not thrilled about it at all. He makes his way to a porch and finds himself watching an old mule eating someone's greens. He couldn't believe that someone would allow an mule to just stand there and eat whatever it wanted. A little old lady (Miz Pettway) walked up and explained to Alex the importance of this very mule. She went on to tell him the story of how when Martin L. King came to visit their small town and explained to them the importance of riding the ferry to vote. Unfortunately, the white people shut the ferries down, but that did not stop them from riding their mules on the sides of the river to cast their vote. Miz Pettway went on to tell him, Belle, that very mule eating the greens was one of the mules that helped. Not to mention, when Martin L. King passed away Belle was there to help carry his casket. Her stories opened Alex's eyes making him realize the importance of Belle, the last mule.

 

 

     Illustrator, John Holyfield uses mostly acrylic in creating his illustrations. He did an amazing job of allowing the reader to easily depict what historical time each portion of the book was in. He used a lot of dark colors which I felt gave it an overall sense of warmth.

 

 Before reading the book to my class I would first read only the tittle and then ask the following questions:

• What do you think this book is going to be about?
• Looking at the cover, where do you think this boy lives?
• Does anyone know what the Civil Rights Movement is?

After reading the book I would ask my class the following questions:

• What were your thoughts when Belle was eating all those collard greens?
• What was your favorite part of the book?
• Do you think at the end of the story Alex changed the way he originally felt about Belle?

     This book would provide a good opportunity for my class to do a group research project on Martin L. King. I would have them discus where he came from, what he is know for and include pictures as well. For another activity, I would have then create an alternate ending to the story. I would encourage them to use their imaginations to make the story theirs.

 

     This is another book that I will incorporate in my classroom. It is an easy read for children and is educational at the same time. The author Calvin Alexander Ramsey also is a photographer, painter and playwright. He also wrote the famous book, Ruth and the Green Book, which is another must read book.

 

References

 

Ramsey, Calvin, A. & Stroud. Bettye. (2011). Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend. Candlewick.