Sauncey And Mr. King’s Gallery

Between 1821 and 1842, Charles Bird King, a famous artist, painted individual portraits of 143 Indians. In this fictionalized account, Sauncey, an eight-year-old free black, lives in Mr. King’s house with her mama, Mr. King’s cook. Sauncey dreams of becoming a grand lady with a feather in her bonnet like the ones in the portraits. One day the yard boy tells Sauncey that he has just been down on Pennsylvania Avenue and has seen Indians. Her mama says that Mr. King is going to paint their pictures. Later, when everyone is out, Sauncey answers a knock on the door—Indians! Early reader–ages 5-8.