Molly Bannaky
on Goodreads (281)
What’s inside...
On a cold gray morning in 1683, Molly Walsh, a 17-year-old English dairymaid, sat tugging at the udder of an obstinate cow. When she spilled the milk, she was accused of stealing and brought before the court. However, she escaped the typical punishment of death because she could read. Consequently, she was exiled from her country and sentenced to work as an indentured servant in British Colonial America. Molly worked for seven years for a planter in Maryland, after which she was given some supplies and her freedom. Despite the challenges, Molly staked land, married an African slave named Bannaky, and together they turned a one-room cabin into a thriving one hundred-acre farm. Eventually, Molly had the joy of writing her new grandson's name, Benjamin Banneker, in her cherished Bible.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Molly Bannaky’s actions show bravery and determination? What would you have done in her situation?
Why do you think education was so important to Molly? How do you feel about your own education?
Molly faced many challenges in the story. Which challenge do you think was the hardest, and why?
How did Molly's choices impact those around her, especially her grandson Benjamin Banneker?
What can we learn from Molly Bannaky’s life about treating others with respect and equality?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Molly’s shoes and imagine the choices they would make in her various situations.
Discuss the historical context of the book, explaining how laws and society were different back then, and relate it to the values in today’s world.
Highlight Molly’s educational values and compare them with the educational opportunities available today, fostering appreciation for current resources.
Link discussions from the book to personal family values, particularly focusing on perseverance, courage, and equality.
Use examples from the book to instill a sense of history and how individual actions can lead to significant impacts on society.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Molly faces numerous challenges after arriving in America, including working as an indentured servant and facing prejudice. Her strength and determination in overcoming these obstacles are evident throughout the book.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face difficulties in their own lives with courage and persistence, understanding that hardships can be overcome with resilience.
Example Lesson: The importance of literacy
Explanation: Molly teaches her grandson to read at a time when it was forbidden for some groups, highlighting the transformative power of education.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to value and pursue learning, recognizing that education can change lives and should be accessible to everyone.
Example Lesson: Equality and justice
Explanation: The book addresses issues of social justice and equality through Molly’s opposition to unfair laws and her efforts to educate her grandson.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to treat everyone with fairness and to stand against injustice in any form within their own circles and communities.
Example Lesson: Perseverance through learning
Explanation: Despite the odds, Molly becomes a successful farmer and community member through self-education and determination.
Real-World Application: It teaches kids the importance of self-improvement and lifelong learning as means to achieve personal and professional goals.