Missouri, 1847 When James first started school, his sister practically had to drag him there. The classroom was dark and dreary, and James knew everything outside was more exciting than anything he'd find inside. But his teacher taught him otherwise. "We make our own light here," Reverend Meachum told James. And through hard work and learning, they did, until their school was shut down by a new law forbidding African American education in Missouri. Determined to continue teaching his students, Reverend John Berry Meachum decided to build a new school-a floating school in the Mississippi River, just outside the boundary of the unjust law. Based on true events, Ron Husband's uplifting illustrations bring to life Deborah Hopkinson's tale of a resourceful, determined teacher; his bright, inquisitive students; and their refusal to accept discrimination based on the color of their skin. | Author: Deborah Hopkinson, Ron Husband | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | Publication Date: Jun 07, 2016 | Number of Pages: 40 pages | Language: English | Binding: Hardcover/Juvenile Fiction | ISBN-10: 1423121961 | ISBN-13: 9781423121961

John Berry Meachum was a businessman, a founder of the oldest black church in Missouri, and a pioneer in the education of blacks in that state. Meachum was born a slave in Goochland County, Virginia on May 3, 1789. His owner, Paul Meachum, moved Meachum … Read MoreJohn Berry Meachum (1789-1854)

John Berry Meachum was a businessman, a founder of the oldest black church in Missouri, and a pioneer in the education of blacks in that state. Meachum was born a slave in Goochland County, Virginia on May 3, 1789. His owner, Paul Meachum, moved Meachum to North Carolina and then Kentucky, where Meachum learned several trades, including carpent...

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I recently learned of the story of John Berry Meachum, a figure in Missouri history I previously knew nothing about. He was born into slavery in Virginia, but at the age of 21 earned enough money as a carpenter to purchase his own freedom and a short time later the freedom of his father. Throughout his life he had an entrepreneurial spirit. He would purchase the freedom of slaves and most would pay him back. He eventually came to live in St. Louis, where he founded the African Church. There he taught religious and secular classes to free and enslaved black students. The location for the classes was known as "The Candle Tallow School." In 1847, the state of Missouri banned education for all black people. Clearly, one would expect this oppressive law to have a devastating impact Meachum's school. But Meachum was not dissuaded. In response, he moved his classes to a steamboat in the middle of the Mississippi River, beyond the reach of Missouri law. He provided the school with a library, desks, and chairs and called it the "Floating Freedom School." John Berry Meachum showed the determination and innovation needed from all educators. We cannot let our circumstances stand in our way. We all face challenges every day. We have to be willing to think creatively and take risks to create a better future. What if Meachum just threw up his hands and quit? What if he felt sorry for himself because of this terrible injustice? What if he retreated to something safe instead of taking a risk? He had a dream to educate blacks in his community and nothing was going to stop him. I admire his passion and commitment. One of my favorite illustrations is from best-selling author Austin Kleon. It communicates so well the risk that is required to pursue something better. Most people see the difference between what is and what could be, but not everyone is willing to make the leap. Not everyone takes action. But leaders do. You can be a leader in your school when you step out and take a risk. If you want to be a difference maker, you have to be a risk taker. Don't be satisfied with the status quo. Be a future-driven risk taker. Be focused on the future, not stuck in the past. Meachum would never have taken the bold risks he took if he were filtering his actions through the past. He was doing something that was largely unheard of because he wanted a brighter future for the people he served. His dream was bigger than yesterday. Believe there is probably a better way to do just about everything. It may seem that things are just the way they are. Our circumstances are fixed. But there are so many ways to approach a problem. Even when things are bleak, think like Meachum. Find a way. Try something new. Learn from your setbacks but don't be defined by them. When you take risks, sometimes you are going to get knocked down. But even your failures can lead to future greatness. Many of the greatest world-changers of all-time also experienced incredible hardships and disappointments. Are you taking risks as an educator? Or, are you settling for the status quo? You are needed as a change maker. How can we inspire educators to take more risks? How can we overcome the obstacles that stand in the way? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below or respond on Facebook or Twitter.

First Baptist is the oldest extant Black church in the city of St. Louis. Its storied history dates to 1817 when two Baptist missionaries arrived in St. Louis

I recently learned of the story of John Berry Meachum, a figure in Missouri history I previously knew nothing about. He was born into slavery in Virginia, but at the age of 21 earned enough money as a carpenter to purchase his own freedom and a short time later the freedom of his father. Throughout his life he had an entrepreneurial spirit. He would purchase the freedom of slaves and most would pay him back. He eventually came to live in St. Louis, where he founded the African Church. There he taught religious and secular classes to free and enslaved black students. The location for the classes was known as "The Candle Tallow School." In 1847, the state of Missouri banned education for all black people. Clearly, one would expect this oppressive law to have a devastating impact Meachum's school. But Meachum was not dissuaded. In response, he moved his classes to a steamboat in the middle of the Mississippi River, beyond the reach of Missouri law. He provided the school with a library, desks, and chairs and called it the "Floating Freedom School." John Berry Meachum showed the determination and innovation needed from all educators. We cannot let our circumstances stand in our way. We all face challenges every day. We have to be willing to think creatively and take risks to create a better future. What if Meachum just threw up his hands and quit? What if he felt sorry for himself because of this terrible injustice? What if he retreated to something safe instead of taking a risk? He had a dream to educate blacks in his community and nothing was going to stop him. I admire his passion and commitment. One of my favorite illustrations is from best-selling author Austin Kleon. It communicates so well the risk that is required to pursue something better. Most people see the difference between what is and what could be, but not everyone is willing to make the leap. Not everyone takes action. But leaders do. You can be a leader in your school when you step out and take a risk. If you want to be a difference maker, you have to be a risk taker. Don't be satisfied with the status quo. Be a future-driven risk taker. Be focused on the future, not stuck in the past. Meachum would never have taken the bold risks he took if he were filtering his actions through the past. He was doing something that was largely unheard of because he wanted a brighter future for the people he served. His dream was bigger than yesterday. Believe there is probably a better way to do just about everything. It may seem that things are just the way they are. Our circumstances are fixed. But there are so many ways to approach a problem. Even when things are bleak, think like Meachum. Find a way. Try something new. Learn from your setbacks but don't be defined by them. When you take risks, sometimes you are going to get knocked down. But even your failures can lead to future greatness. Many of the greatest world-changers of all-time also experienced incredible hardships and disappointments. Are you taking risks as an educator? Or, are you settling for the status quo? You are needed as a change maker. How can we inspire educators to take more risks? How can we overcome the obstacles that stand in the way? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below or respond on Facebook or Twitter.

Set in Missouri, 1847. This picture book is based on the true story of Reverend John Berry Meachum and tells the story of boy named James starting school with his sister practically dragging him there. The classroom was dark and dreary, and James knew everything outside was more exciting than anything he'd find inside. But his teacher taught him otherwise.

When a Missouri law shuts down a school for Black students, one boy must find a path to bravery in this award-winning picture book, based on a true story of resilience. James wasn't excited to go to school--everything outside was loud and exciting, but the classroom was dark and dreary. Luckily, his teacher Reverend John Meacham wasn't so bad. He shared stories about being enslaved, buying his freedom, and building a life. \"We make our own light here,\" he said. Until the day the school was shut down by a law forbidding African American education in Missouri. What could James do? Reverend John Berry Meachum didn't give up though. With steamboats swaying on the Mississippi River, and a spirit of determination, the Reverend found a loophole--what if the school wasn't in Missouri? Based on true events, Ron Husband's uplifting illustrations bring to life Deborah Hopkinson's tale of a resourceful, determined teacher; his bright, inquisitive students; and their refusal to accept discrimination based on the color of their skin.