In the Time of the Drums by Kim L. Siegelson, illustrated by Brian Pinkney.

A.Bibliographic Data:
Siegelson, Kim L. Illus. Brian Pinkney. 1999. In the Time of the Drums. Hyperion Books for Children: New York, New York. ISBN 0-7868-0436-X(trade), ISBN 0-7868-2386-0(lib. bdg.).

B. Plot Summary:
In the Time of the Drums is a story set on an island shore where ships docked and unloaded treasures, cargo, and slaves brought from to be sold to work on the island plantations. Some of the slaves that came from Africa built instruments that reminded them of home. Some of the slaves were born on the island and only knew of Africa. Mentu, was a young boy that was born on the island and raised by Twi , who was born in Africa and was called the Ibo conjure woman. Twi had learned magic through her grandmother. Twi shared many stories and taught Mentu many African songs and stories. She also warned him that there would be a time when he needed to be strong. Then, one day Twi and Mentu heard drum beats that notified them that a ship ship had arrived. It was a slave ship that carried Ibo people from the African Kingdom of Benin. Mentu beat his drums at the ship and the slaves recognized the music from Africa and thought they were home. Twi and Mentu watched as the Ibo people refused to walk onto the island and stood strong against whips and chanted. Twi understood what they were singing and told Mentu that they believed in old African magic, and that the water that took them to that unfamiliar place could also take them back. She also told Mentu that the water would take her also, that it was time for her to go, and for him to be strong and remember. Twi ran to the Ibo people on the slave ship and told them to follow her that she would lead them home, and they followed her into the water. Mentu was strong and he passed on the songs and stories to his children and taught them to play the drums, and his children taught their children until now.

C. Critical Analysis:
Kim Siegelson's In the Time of the Drums is a story of strength, faith and hope. Twi knew exactly what she was doing when she taught Mentu the African songs and rhythms. She didn't want what happened to the slaves that lost their faith to happen to Mentu. Kim Siegelson demonstrates that holding on to culture is very important. The loss of identity lead to the loss of faith. “... long, hard work had broken them. Made memories of Africa sink so far back in their minds that they could no longer be reached. The old ways had slowly slipped away and been felt behind like sweat drops in a newly plowed row.” Siegelson demonstrates that holding on to faith and hope made the people strong. It made the Ibo people strong enough into the ocean water, and Twi strong enough to lead them. Faith and hope made Mentu strong enough to understand why it was so important that everything that he learned from Twi be passed on from generation to generation. These strong African stories and rhythmic beats provided the enslaved people with an identity that allowed for the foundations of the struggle against slavery. Pinkney's drawings allow us to see the development of each character.

D. Review Excerpt:
From School Library Journal:
“This well-told story is unusual and powerful. It raises some interesting questions about the meaning and value of freedom, and of literal interpretations of text. The rhythms hint at Gullah language, but the narrative is clear, accessible, and at the same time poetic. Pinkney's illustrations enhance the power of the tale by being at once realistic and mystical. This thought-provoking story would be a splendid addition to any collection.” by Linda Greengrass.

E. Connections
Another excellent book to read along with this one would be: The Old African / by Julius Lester ; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. ISBN 0-8037-2564-7. This book also focus on the legend of the water taking the Ibo people back to their homeland.
An fun activity that students can do after reading this book would be to compose a song that tells a story with the use of drums and present it to the class.