80 pages 2 hours read

Kwame Alexander

Black Star

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2024

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter 6Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 6, Introduction Summary: “The Story of Freedom”

In Nana’s past, he lived in the Florida Keys with his cousin and the white folks. They were given huts to live in and jobs. Because they could swim well, Nana and his cousin Kofi were sent to work in the underwater salt mines.

One day, a ship came to their island, promising to bring them back home. Many of the Black people didn’t trust the ship after surviving the slave boats. They didn’t know that a war was breaking out in the US between the North and South, which would soon lead their ship to be dry-docked.

Chapter 6, Poem 1 Summary: “The Plan”

The kids convince Willie’s brother, Johnnie, to chaperone them to a nearby field. He’s distracted by his fiancé, Ruth, until they start crossing the bridge. Johnnie questions their destination.

Chapter 6, Poem 2 Summary: “Great Bridge”

They must cross the bridge to get to Hickory Park.