Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
This globe-spanning history of sugar is "an epic story on a broad canvas that never loses sight of individual moments of human drama; a historical methodology infused with political, intellectual, cultural, and social strands; a complex sequence of cause and effect; an illuminating synthesis of primary and secondary sources; and a thoughtful marriage of words, picture, and design." (Horn Book starred review)
Here is the story of how one product allows us to see the grand currents of world history in new ways. Using songs, oral histories, maps, and over 80 archival illustrations, Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos put a human face on this vast pageant. Time line, source notes, bibliography, and index included.
The history of sugar runs like a bright band from religious ceremonies in India to Europe's Middle Ages, then on to Columbus, who brought the first cane cuttings to the Americas. Sugar caused the loss of countless lives, but it also planted the seeds of revolution that led to freedom in the American colonies, Haiti, and France.
Cane, not cotton or tobacco, drove the bloody Atlantic slave trade and took the lives of countless Africans who toiled on vast sugar plantations under cruel overseers. And yet the very popularity of sugar gave abolitionists in England the one tool that could finally end the slave trade. Sugar moved, murdered, and freed millions; sugar changed the world.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses the violent history of slavery associated with the sugar industry, detailing how millions were enslaved and worked to death on plantations. This historical context includes the harsh realities faced by enslaved individuals. No content deemed scary or frightening is mentioned in the search results. The book's themes revolve around history and social issues rather than horror or fear.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have violence?
The book addresses the violent history of slavery associated with the sugar industry, detailing how millions were enslaved and worked to death on plantations. This historical context includes the harsh realities faced by enslaved individuals.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have scary content?
No content deemed scary or frightening is mentioned in the search results. The book's themes revolve around history and social issues rather than horror or fear.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have religious themes?
No religious content or themes are detected in the search results. The book discusses the history of sugar and its socio-economic impacts without reference to religious practices or beliefs.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have racial/cultural content?
The book discusses the racial dynamics of slavery, particularly focusing on the experiences of enslaved Africans in the sugar industry. It highlights the historical context of racial exploitation and the impact of sugar on global economies.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have profanity?
No profanity or inappropriate language is indicated in the search results related to the book.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have climate change?
No climate-related themes are present in the search results. The book does not address environmental issues or climate change in relation to sugar.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have sexual identity?
No sexual content or themes are mentioned in the search results. The focus remains on historical and socio-economic discussions surrounding sugar.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have gender roles?
No specific gender roles or themes related to gender are mentioned in the search results. The content focuses on historical and economic aspects rather than gender dynamics.
Does Sugar Changed the World A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results related to the book. The focus is primarily on the historical aspects of sugar and its connections to slavery and freedom.
