The Village that Vanished
by Ann Grifalconi,
illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2002
This original story reads like an African folk tale and stirs the imagination of how it could be true.
During the time when slavers stole families from African villages, young Abikanile watched her mother pray for magic to protect their village. When they were warned that slavers were coming, Abikanile’s mother decides they must disappear and leave the village behind. In fear they discuss, burning the village, but Aabikanile’s mother says they must dismantle their straw hutches and scatter the materials in the woods. They do so, and disappear to hide in the forest. Unable to find anyone, the slavers leave, sure someone had been there. And that is how the village of Yao vanished and all survived.