47: Summary and book reviews of 47 by Walter Mosley, plus links to an excerpt from 47 and a biography of Walter Mosley.

A gripping Young Adult fiction debut by bestselling author Walter Mosley. Walter Mosley is one of the best known writers in America. In his first book for young adults, Mosley deftly weaves historical and speculative fiction into a powerful narrative about the nature of freedom. 47 is a young slave boy living under the watchful eye of a brutal slave master. His life seems doomed until he meets a mysterious run-away slave, Tall John. Then 47 finds himself swept up in a struggle for his own liberation.

BookBrowse

  (Reviewed by BookBrowse Review Team).

Full Review (277 words).

Media Reviews

Booklist - Hazel Rochman Gr. 7-10. The magical realism allows for some plot contrivance, but Mosley brings the harsh facts and anguish very close, and the first-person narrative shows and tells how "slavery is the most unbelievable part of this whole story.   Publishers Weekly Equal parts history and tall tale, this engaging story related by an endearing narrator is so full of dramatic tension that few readers will realize they're learning something, too. Ages 12-up.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Shay
A really good book!
I consider this book as one of the best books that I have read so far.

Rated of 5 by Kathy
i donno
I am doing this book for a historical fiction assignment. I liked it (:

Rated of 5 by Dannielle Nicole
Ugh?
I read this for an ap history project, and was very upset. this has pretty much nothing to do with real history and made writing a historical book review very difficult.

Rated of 5 by Soulstealr
The Review of 47
I am actually quite disappointed with this book. I had to read this for a u.s. history project, so I thought it would just be another slave narrative. that wasn't the case. This is a fantasy book. Simple as that. Although there was a total lack of...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Nancy Jones
An Excellent Depiction of Slavery with a Unique Twist
This was one of the best YA books I read! The depiction of the abuses of slavery was very realistic. The main character was a slave boy who was sent to work in the fields after he finally reached a certain age. Before he had been in the main...   Read More

Readalikes

If you liked 47, try these:

---

---

This is one of 2 readalike suggestions for 47. Members have full access to all readalikes. If you are a member, please login. To find out more about membership, click here.

Books with similar themes

• Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Alternate History
  
• Young Adults
  
• USA 
  
• 19th Century 
  
• Magical or Supernatural Elements