A conversation with award-winning author Ray Anthony Shepard, who is introducing young readers to stories from American history focused on race.  He has written on the the vaunted 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry, as well as a book about Ona Judge, a seamstress who escaped from the Washington household, and is has just finished The Forgotten: Patriots of Color at Lexington & Concord,,  focusing on the 19th of April 1775 from the perspective of African-Americans who were there that day fighting or observing---alarm-rider Abel Benson, soldiers Prince Estabrook and Peter Salem, Hartwell Tavern keeper Violet Thayer.  We talk about the challenges of engaging younger readers and the importance of understanding the American story in all its complexity. 

Tell us what you think! Send us a text message!