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Cowslip: A Slave
Cowslip is on the auction block. The year is 1861, and the Civil War has begun, but it means little to a frightened black girl still at the mercy of whites. An old slave at her former home has taught her magic spells to use against the cruel master, who in his heartlessness had given Cowslip her very name as a mean joke. But all those spells are no good to her now.
In her new home Cowslip is put in charge of the Master's children. She soon makes many new friends, among them Job, who is educated and had once been free, and Reba, whose lover has run away to the North. These people dream of freedom and dare to speak of forbidden things. Through them Cowslip becomes involved in frightening and dangerous activities she does not fully understand.
In her new home Cowslip is put in charge of the Master's children. She soon makes many new friends, among them Job, who is educated and had once been free, and Reba, whose lover has run away to the North. These people dream of freedom and dare to speak of forbidden things. Through them Cowslip becomes involved in frightening and dangerous activities she does not fully understand.
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
5 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Betsy Haynes
120 books105 followersABOUT ME
Maybe it's because my feisty grandma chased tarantulas around with a broom when we lived on an oil lease property when I was a baby that made me love danger and adventure. And maybe it was my father's spending nights as a trombonist with the bands of his day and his days spent drawing sketches that sparked my artistic side. Do you suppose that because my mother stood only four feet ten inches tall that I feel like a giant at five feet? And I'm sure my FBI (Full Blooded Italian) step-father, his seven brothers and sisters and their families are responsible for my LOVE of Italian food. That's who I am. Who are you?
My First Book, Peppy The Frog That I Wrote In The 2nd Grade
I'll always be a child at heart. Whenever I close my eyes, wonderful, funny, awful, embarrassing memories of middle school/junior high come flooding back to fill the pages of my contemporary novels. My childhood friendships and rivalries with old enemies all find their way into my books. I've even spied on my own kids for story ideas.
Unlike most kids who can't wait to grow up, I've gotten younger--at least my stories have. I've stepped into the world of 7 to 10 year olds.
I and my husband, Jim, live in Texas on Lake Lewisville north of Dallas. We are owned by our greyhound, Miller. Our favorite things to do are traveling the world and boating.
Maybe it's because my feisty grandma chased tarantulas around with a broom when we lived on an oil lease property when I was a baby that made me love danger and adventure. And maybe it was my father's spending nights as a trombonist with the bands of his day and his days spent drawing sketches that sparked my artistic side. Do you suppose that because my mother stood only four feet ten inches tall that I feel like a giant at five feet? And I'm sure my FBI (Full Blooded Italian) step-father, his seven brothers and sisters and their families are responsible for my LOVE of Italian food. That's who I am. Who are you?
My First Book, Peppy The Frog That I Wrote In The 2nd Grade
I'll always be a child at heart. Whenever I close my eyes, wonderful, funny, awful, embarrassing memories of middle school/junior high come flooding back to fill the pages of my contemporary novels. My childhood friendships and rivalries with old enemies all find their way into my books. I've even spied on my own kids for story ideas.
Unlike most kids who can't wait to grow up, I've gotten younger--at least my stories have. I've stepped into the world of 7 to 10 year olds.
I and my husband, Jim, live in Texas on Lake Lewisville north of Dallas. We are owned by our greyhound, Miller. Our favorite things to do are traveling the world and boating.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 28, 2015
I won this free books through Goodreads First-reads. A wonderful story circa 1861 of a young slave girl named "Cowslip", which means a flower wild and free. This description was told to her by the butler. It gave her a strong hope, she one day would be free. She was great with the master's children and his wife was so pleased with her work that she was to remain in the main house, and be the children's nurse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2012
I still remember reading this book as a young girl. It must be good, because the story has stayed with me all this time!
January 5, 2019
Simplistic elegance with a powerful message from an earlier time. This is quite a gem.
July 6, 2020
A story that my students liked but it is a story of a slave girl written by a white woman. I know there are better books out there written by black woman about black girls. Sharon Draper's Cooper Sun is better.
Want to read
September 8, 2014I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12888839
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12888839
January 5, 2020
I read this in 6th grade, and it has stayed with me all these years. Recommended.
May 21, 2023
I enjoyed the main character, Cowslip and the supporting characters but, knowing this book was written in the 70's by a white woman some of it just didn't sit well with me.
She spoke of the brutality, humiliation and violence of American chattel slavery but, there were some grossly romanticized parts and (enslaved) characters who explained to Cowslip why they believed that blacks were destined for slavery as a curse from God.
Growing up in the South, I'd heard that line of utter nonsense explained (never taught as truth, thankfully but I know there were and are some who believe it). It was disappointing that the author included that false teaching and even seemed to affirm it with a conversation with Job, an enslaved man.
I was torn between what rating I wanted to give this book, because I found myself going back and forth trying to understand where the author stood on the issue of slavery and what point she was trying to make with her storyline and characters. Ultimately I decided on a 3 because the storytelling itself was good, the characters were interesting, the pace was good and there were various viewpoints expressed throughout the book however there are just better books out there to share the experiences of enslaved people.
She spoke of the brutality, humiliation and violence of American chattel slavery but, there were some grossly romanticized parts and (enslaved) characters who explained to Cowslip why they believed that blacks were destined for slavery as a curse from God.
Growing up in the South, I'd heard that line of utter nonsense explained (never taught as truth, thankfully but I know there were and are some who believe it). It was disappointing that the author included that false teaching and even seemed to affirm it with a conversation with Job, an enslaved man.
I was torn between what rating I wanted to give this book, because I found myself going back and forth trying to understand where the author stood on the issue of slavery and what point she was trying to make with her storyline and characters. Ultimately I decided on a 3 because the storytelling itself was good, the characters were interesting, the pace was good and there were various viewpoints expressed throughout the book however there are just better books out there to share the experiences of enslaved people.
October 11, 2021
When I read this as a child myself not much older than Cowslip, it helped me understand what a horrifying time in history that was when having slaves was fine, and abusing them for any reason and no reason at all was commonplace. Before, the use of slaves and the Civil War was just a few chapters in a history book, but Cowslip became the first exposure I had to an almost fully-dimensional account that brought it to life.
It has been so long that I can't verify for authenticity all the material in the book, and there is the now more socially-evident issue of a white woman writing the life and feelings of a Black enslaved child, but to me those issues are reconciled as this was done from a lot of sympathy to Cowslip and was unflinching toward the cruelty of white people who treated her as nothing but an inconvenient piece of chattel.
Ultimately, I found it to be riveting and I read it many times when I was a child, because I could scarcely believe that so many children had a life not unlike the sorrows of Cowslip's. Would highly recommend for children about 11 or 12.
It has been so long that I can't verify for authenticity all the material in the book, and there is the now more socially-evident issue of a white woman writing the life and feelings of a Black enslaved child, but to me those issues are reconciled as this was done from a lot of sympathy to Cowslip and was unflinching toward the cruelty of white people who treated her as nothing but an inconvenient piece of chattel.
Ultimately, I found it to be riveting and I read it many times when I was a child, because I could scarcely believe that so many children had a life not unlike the sorrows of Cowslip's. Would highly recommend for children about 11 or 12.
August 21, 2020
I read this book in 6th grade. It was my first view of what it was like to be a Black person in North America. I remember thinking that was so long ago and I was glad everyone was equal now. This was my 10 year old brain in an all white community. I was very wrong. I wish our teacher had have continued the theme. I give it 5 stars because the story and the anger still sticks with me 40 years later.
June 9, 2023
My teacher read this book aloud to my fifth grade class. I always looked forward to that. She read us a lot of books, but this was the only one I remember. For some reason, the feel of this book captivated me, and I've been looking to read it again ever since.
This time around... While I vaguely remember the book, I clearly didn't remember the plot. It was only okay. Abrupt ending.
I guess some things should just remain a memory.
This time around... While I vaguely remember the book, I clearly didn't remember the plot. It was only okay. Abrupt ending.
I guess some things should just remain a memory.
February 25, 2018
When I read this as a young girl, it forever changed how I saw the world. I'm so glad my eyes and heart were opened.
June 30, 2018
If I read this now, my rating might be different. But I recall reading this as a kid and being so completely mesmerized.
October 31, 2024
I read this as a kid, when I was about 7, and have never forgotten it. I'd recommend it to any kid.
September 29, 2014
(This was originally reviewed for Readers' Favorites)
Cowslip: A Slave by Betsy Haynes tells of slavery from a unique perspective - that of a 13-year-old female slave named Cowslip. The story starts during the Civil War as Cowslip and several other children are being sold at a slave auction and follows Cowslip as she is taken to a new plantation with new masters and unfamiliar slaves. In the course of the story, many of Cowslip's beliefs are challenged, and she is forced to decide whether to think for herself or continue to blindly believe everything that she has been told.
The story takes place in just a matter of weeks, but many things happened and as I followed Cowslip down her path, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to her. Would she follow the path she had always known or forge a new one?
My only complaint with the book is that there were quite a few typos that could have been avoided. Still, I had to give the book 5 stars. It is wonderfully written and is told from a perspective that I had never considered before. In 2014 it is difficult to truly realize what life must have been like for slaves, but with a first-person point of view like this, I felt like I was right there with Cowslip on the plantation. What struck me the most is how Cowslip felt about herself and her position in life. That made me stop and put down the book to really think about slavery and how devastating it was.
This book deserves every single star I gave it, and then some. I don't know whether Ms. Haynes plans to continue the story of Cowslip, but if she does, I will gladly purchase the book!
Cowslip: A Slave by Betsy Haynes tells of slavery from a unique perspective - that of a 13-year-old female slave named Cowslip. The story starts during the Civil War as Cowslip and several other children are being sold at a slave auction and follows Cowslip as she is taken to a new plantation with new masters and unfamiliar slaves. In the course of the story, many of Cowslip's beliefs are challenged, and she is forced to decide whether to think for herself or continue to blindly believe everything that she has been told.
The story takes place in just a matter of weeks, but many things happened and as I followed Cowslip down her path, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to her. Would she follow the path she had always known or forge a new one?
My only complaint with the book is that there were quite a few typos that could have been avoided. Still, I had to give the book 5 stars. It is wonderfully written and is told from a perspective that I had never considered before. In 2014 it is difficult to truly realize what life must have been like for slaves, but with a first-person point of view like this, I felt like I was right there with Cowslip on the plantation. What struck me the most is how Cowslip felt about herself and her position in life. That made me stop and put down the book to really think about slavery and how devastating it was.
This book deserves every single star I gave it, and then some. I don't know whether Ms. Haynes plans to continue the story of Cowslip, but if she does, I will gladly purchase the book!
May 30, 2014
"I got to put my scaredness under my feet and stand on it," she told herself firmly.
Slave Girl tells the story of Cowslip, an orphaned slave in the beginning years of the American Civil War, sold at 13 to pay her owner's debts. Told in the 3rd person, the reader is given a window into her mind and heart of an incredibly brave and compassionate girl, as she grows in experience and wisdom. Dreadful, but common to to the American slave experience, events happen, one after another: the steady diet of fear, loss of loved ones, glimmers of hope, dashed hopes, brutalities, humiliations of the most cruel & unusual kind...along with succinct explanations of slave culture, if I may call it that...to laugh, to keep one's face blank as a wall.
Published for Scholastic in 1973, this is a gem. I appreciated the understated, yet easy to understand, depictions of Cowslip's life and world. Betsy Haynes, the author, has respect for her material and for her readers.
Slave Girl tells the story of Cowslip, an orphaned slave in the beginning years of the American Civil War, sold at 13 to pay her owner's debts. Told in the 3rd person, the reader is given a window into her mind and heart of an incredibly brave and compassionate girl, as she grows in experience and wisdom. Dreadful, but common to to the American slave experience, events happen, one after another: the steady diet of fear, loss of loved ones, glimmers of hope, dashed hopes, brutalities, humiliations of the most cruel & unusual kind...along with succinct explanations of slave culture, if I may call it that...to laugh, to keep one's face blank as a wall.
Published for Scholastic in 1973, this is a gem. I appreciated the understated, yet easy to understand, depictions of Cowslip's life and world. Betsy Haynes, the author, has respect for her material and for her readers.
October 16, 2012
"I got to put my scaredness under my feet and stand on it." I think we all need to do this at times. Like Twain did in Puddin' Head Wilson, Haynes talks about the brainwashing that went on with slaves and how that brainwashing kept many slaves from feeling like freedom was a right. The bible was used to try to keep them slaves. I also enjoyed the hoodoo that was included - superstition was rampant during this time period among both blacks and whites. This is a sad book, but one with hope and dignity as well.
This is a book that should be reprinted because it is very hard to find. It was orginally published in 1973. The copy I found is titled Slave Girl but says on the cover, "Orginal title: Cowslip."
This is a book that should be reprinted because it is very hard to find. It was orginally published in 1973. The copy I found is titled Slave Girl but says on the cover, "Orginal title: Cowslip."
September 18, 2010
I read this book multiple times as a kid. My mother had given it to me, saying I would like it and she was definitely right. At nine, I was fascinated and appalled that something like slavery existed in my country, but this book actually helped me understand the whole horrid incident more. Learning Cowslip's story was both educational and entertaining. As I recall, there were somewhat harsh times in the book (which is to be expected) but it was overall a happy tale. Any young reader would be a great audience. I wish I hadn't lost my copy so I could lend it to my youngest sister.
November 21, 2016
I read this book a very long time ago. I think it was 3rd or 4th grade is when I picked up this book out of boredom and started reading it(to be honest, I don't think it was very appropriate for a girl my age but what's done is done). From what I can recall, it was a good read. It had an interesting character and a story that kept me coming back. I really liked it, considering I still remember my tattered paperback copy.
November 6, 2008
Read this one over and over as a kid. An amazing book about slavery that made it seem real to me, that this happened to real people, real kids, not just names in a text book. I am desperately looking for a copy for my own kids to read. Very hard to find.
December 9, 2008
I read this in 3rd grade, and it was my first book about slavery & the Civil War. It made such a mark on my mind that I can still vividly recall several parts of the book, often more clearly than my recent reads.
This is a truly excellent book.
This is a truly excellent book.
October 28, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads contest.
I passed the book on to a young reader who really loved it. It has made her want to read more on US history and slavery. She really enjoyed the book and it continues to widen her world of books.
I passed the book on to a young reader who really loved it. It has made her want to read more on US history and slavery. She really enjoyed the book and it continues to widen her world of books.
Want to read
August 7, 2009New Title: Slave Girl
October 17, 2009
I remember reading and re-reading this book so many times as a child. I loved it. I am looking for a copy of the book now because I have lost my old copy from childhood. WOnderful book.
Read
February 9, 2010advanced
October 15, 2013
Re-read this after not having seen it for 30 years. It's simplistic, but still affecting. And it's incredible what details have stuck with me.
March 14, 2013
One of the best books i ever read
September 5, 2013
I so adored that the main character's name was "Cowslip".
February 3, 2015
The best little story to read and pass the time! I've read this book approximately 8 times. Great great story.
April 18, 2015
Childhood favorite
Enjoyed reading this book many, many years ago. Enjoyed re-reading it again with my children. Highly recommend it to anyone.
Enjoyed reading this book many, many years ago. Enjoyed re-reading it again with my children. Highly recommend it to anyone.
September 21, 2015
It's an okay story, Cowslip was a very likable character. The book could have used better editing, lots of spelling errors. *received from goodreads giveaway*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews