At the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, Lorraine is amazed when she hears a Black opera singer perform: Sissieretta Jones. Lorraine longs to attend the singer's next performance, but when Black activist Ida B. Wells encourages her people to boycott the expo, Lorraine is crushed when her father forbids her to go back.

I was intrigued from the moment I heard about this middle grade novel, The Progress of Our People: A Story of Black Representation at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. I've loved historical fiction since I read a number of the American Girl books as a child, including the books about Addy, a girl who escapes from slavery.

The issue of Black representation in America is not only a historical issue but a present-day one, including when it comes to art and literature. It brings something distinctive and important to the table when Black Americans relate their history and experience through fiction.

So, considering the current outreach in publishing for more Black voices, I wondered about that point this publisher seemed to have missed here—in a historical fiction series expressly about underrepresented voices. I realize an associate professor who specializes in African American history was consulted during the writing of this book, but consulting with a people before telling a story about them isn't the same as a people speaking for themselves.

Personally, I'm not of the mindset that fiction writers should always and only create characters of their own race and/or culture. Yet, when an "I Am America" publishing project brings a story specifically about the progess of "our people" and our dissatisfaction with a lack of Black representation, I believe that would be a prime opportunity to demonstrate real-life Black American representation through a Black voice.

I'll admit my wondering here is based on some assumptions/guesses though, as I didn't speak with the publisher about this.

On more of a historical fiction lover's note, while this wasn't the most engrossing story for me and I didn't feel that all of the dialogue and behaviors were fitting for the characters and setting, it was still interesting to take a little trip back to that World's Fair, as I think I've only "been" there once before through another novel. ( )

Very enjoyable book about the African American experience during the time of the Chicago World's Fair. The author weaves historical figures into the story and helps young readers get to know them. I liked that the author included information about her research at the end of the book as well as pictures from the Chicago World's Fair. It would have been nice to have a map of the fairgrounds and a little bit more back story about the main character. ( )

Anyone who has enjoyed the I Am America, Dear America, My America, or even the Royal Diaries Series will find The Progress of Our People, A Story of Black Representation at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, a welcome addition to their library or readings. It is lovely to see a new addition to the series from the perspective of Lorraine Williams, a young African American girl living in Chicago. My family enjoyed this edition, as well as all the others we own, and find the material included to be exceptional historical fiction to be used in our homeschool education setting. ( )

I have always loved the I Am America series and this is no exception. The author does a great job of combining historical facts with Lorraine’s diary entries. While this is fiction, it could very easily be diary entries from a young girl longing to sing. Her encounters with famous African-Americans of that era makes the book even more realistic. A must read! ( )

Lorraine Williams, a young African American girl, living in the south side of Chicago, tells us about the Chicago World's Fair. Her father had worked at the sites of many of the buildings there. But his work was finished, and he had to scramble for odd jobs, the steady work was over. Lorraine heard about the fair from her father, read about it in the newspaper, and talked with everyone about it.

The representation of black people was limited to the Haitian pavilion in it. That is the main theme of the book. We are introduced to the great Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass and Matilda Sissieretta Jones, who was trained in classical music but never allowed to perform in opera. The story highlights the lack of representation in important venues of the World's Fair, and also the denial of employment of talented people like the singer. It also connects time together. I was thrilled to know that I had been to of the permanent buildings of the Fair, the Palace of Fine Arts, later became the Museum of Science and Industry.

I received this book from the publishers as a win in a LibraryThing contest. The above review reflects my own thoughts and feelings about the book. ( )