The Ballad of Belle DorcasIn a conjure tale anything is possible. Men turn into trees. Houses howl in the night. Slaves become free. All these things can and do come to pass in The Ballad of Belle Dorcas, a haunting conjure tale told to William Hooks when he was a boy in North Carolina. Hooks' evocative text and Pinkney's stunning illustrations make this tale real--and unforgettable. |
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afraid arms Ballad of Belle bark began Belle Dorcas followed Belle Dorcas ran birth blood Brian Pinkney cabin cast cedar shakes cedar tree children's books coins conjure Cook Crazy Belle cried croaked cunger bag cunger woman daddy door Dorcas and Joshua Dorcas's dreamed drew back earrings fear fiddle music five miles back free-issue gave an order girl gold Granny Lizard Granny Lizard's spell groaning heard HOOKS horse hugging illustrated issue Joshua back Joshua tree laughed listen live mama marry Joshua moaning Move neck never leave night Belle Dorcas North Carolina old woman order to keep plantation Pompey powerful spell pretty roof root rubbed the cunger save Joshua screamed SEASON sell shiver shook slave master smokehouse sold sound spoke stood tears thinking thought threw tidewater told took trembled UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN wandered WILLIAM H Wilmington road woods York City young