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Virginia Hamilton
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The People Could Fly: The Picture Book Paperback – Picture Book, January 6, 2015

by Virginia Hamilton (Author), Leo Dillon (Illustrator), Diane Dillon Ph.D. (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 258 ratings
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Virginia Hamilton's Coretta Scott King Honor book is the breathtaking fantasy tale of slaves who possessed ancient magic that enabled them to fly away to freedom. And it is a moving tale of those who did not have the opportunity to “fly” away, who remained slaves with only their imaginations to set them free as they told and retold this tale.

Leo and Diane Dillon's powerful illustrations accompany Hamilton's voice as it sings out from the pages with the soaring cadences that echo the story tellers of her childhood as the granddaughter of a fugitive slave. 

Awards for The People Could Fly collection:

A Coretta Scott King Award

A Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choice

A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

A Horn Book Fanfare

An ALA Notable Book

An NCTE Teachers’ Choice

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    480L
  6. Dimensions
    9 x 0.12 x 12 inches
  7. Publisher
    Dragonfly Books
  8. Publication date
    January 6, 2015
  9. ISBN-10
    055350780X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0553507805
  11. See all details
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The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales
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Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales (Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner)
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

VIRGINIA HAMILTON, the first black person to win a Newbery Medal and the first children's book author to be awarded a MacArthur genius grant, won the Coretta Scott King Award for The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales. In her lifetime, Virginia wrote and published 41 books in multiple genres that spanned picture books and folktales, mysteries and science fiction, realistic novels and biography. Woven into her books is a deep concern with memory, tradition, and generational legacy, especially as they helped define the lives of African Americans. Virginia described her work as "Liberation Literature." She won every major award in youth literature.

LEO and DIANE DILLON, recepients of two Caldecott Medals, have illustrated five books by Virginia Hamilton, including the original black-and-white illustrations in The People Could Fly collection, Many Thousand Gone, and Her Stories.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dragonfly Books; Reprint edition (January 6, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 055350780X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553507805
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 480L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 0.12 x 12 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 258 ratings

About the author

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Virginia Hamilton

Virginia Hamilton

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Virginia Esther Hamilton was born, as she said, “on the outer edge of the Great Depression,” on March 12, 1934. The youngest of five children of Kenneth James and Etta Belle Perry Hamilton, Virginia grew up amid a large extended family in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The farmlands of southwestern Ohio had been home to her mother’s family since the late 1850s, when Virginia’s grandfather, Levi Perry, was brought into the state as an infant via the Underground Railroad.

Virginia graduated at the top of her high-school class and received a full scholarship to Antioch College in Yellow Springs. In 1956, she transferred to the Ohio State University in Columbus and majored in literature and creative writing. She moved to New York City in 1958, working as a museum receptionist, cost accountant, and nightclub singer, while she pursued her dream of being a published writer. She studied fiction writing at the New School for Social Research under Hiram Haydn, one of the founders of Atheneum Press.

It was also in New York that Virginia met poet Arnold Adoff. They were married in 1960. Arnold worked as a teacher, and Virginia was able to devote her full attention to writing, at least until daughter Leigh was born in 1963 and son Jaime in 1967. In 1969, Virginia and Arnold built their “dream home” in Yellow Springs, on the last remaining acres of the old Hamilton/Perry family farm, and settled into a life of serious literary work and achievement.

In her lifetime, Virginia wrote and published 41 books in multiple genres that spanned picture books and folktales, mysteries and science fiction, realistic novels and biography. Woven into her books is a deep concern with memory, tradition, and generational legacy, especially as they helped define the lives of African Americans. Virginia described her work as “Liberation Literature.” She won every major award in youth literature.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
258 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

did not buy
5.0 out of 5 stars Gift
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2022
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Beautiful book, Great story and illustrations.Grandkids loved it.
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Angela Graves
5.0 out of 5 stars The Morals of Life Lessons
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
One of my favorite authors. There are so many different stories on consequences of decisions we make in life. Virginia Hamilton is one of those authors that can convey those messages perfectly. I have given this book to my children, grandchildren and friends for years. The illustrator is fabulous. The writer and illustrator being so great your mind can imagine each story.
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D Minister Loves 2 Read
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
Bought this book years ago for my daughter who is now 40. Purchased one for my self ang my great nephews.
One person found this helpful
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Kay67
5.0 out of 5 stars Book about us for us
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
I enjoy reading this book to my Ancestors. I love the artwork on the pages. Such an easy read. Can read it multiple times like other famous books. This book should be in every library and in every elementary and junior high school
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Kayla M
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Product, great fast delivery, TY
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
Book arrived quickly in great condition as described. The illustrators are masters and collaboration with writer amazing and deeply effecting. Book is a total work of art that transcends average storytelling. Bought it originally because of artists and became enamored of author and genre as well.
One person found this helpful
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Lucinda Richards
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic folklore novel.
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
Classic novel that every child should read. I had my kid put down the cell phone and the tablet and actually read something and she enjoyed it. She is 10 but the book is appropriate for children as young as 3 or 4.
7 people found this helpful
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dlynn
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
Thought this was a more young child friendly version but its not. still well written
One person found this helpful
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EcoChef
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for our library
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great condition and perfect book for our second grade, homeschool library. So many of our books in the tall-tale realm are about white men, and we wanted to incorporate more diverse story telling in our learning.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Logical_Yve
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrated, such a Powerful message.. Definitely would recommend.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
Even though I brought the wrong book, per-say, meaning only 1 chapter out of 24 tales. It was well worth the mistake.
I can truly see the significants in its message.
I recommend, having this book,, its illustrations are absolutely amazing, the tale is inspiring & insightful, so powerful.
I can’t wait to read all 24 tales, when i receive the new book.
This book, should be held & kept for future generations.. Definite 5**
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priya
5.0 out of 5 stars simply beautiful...
Reviewed in India on September 27, 2013
Verified Purchase
it's a wonderful wonderful book. they way it is written and illustrated. love reading it to my angel.
a masterpiece!
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