Freewater

by Amina Luqman-Dawson (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

Debut author Amina Luqman Dawson pens a lyrical, accessible historical middle-grade novel about two enslaved children's escape from a plantation and the many ways they find freedom.

After an entire young life of enslavement, twelve-year-old Homer escapes Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, leaving his beloved mother behind. Much as he adores her and fears for her life, Homer knows there's no turning back, not with the overseer on their trail.

Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the recesses of the swamp. In this new, free society made up of escaped slaves and some born-free children, Homer cautiously embraces a set of spirited friends, almost forgetting where he came from.

But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he hatches a plan to return to Southerland plantation, overcome his own cautious nature, and free his mother from enslavement. Loosely based on a little-mined but important piece of history, this is an inspiring and deeply empowering story of survival, love, and courage.

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Kirkus

Starred Review
An exceptional addition to the resistance stories of enslaved people.

ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
Skillfully drawing memorable characters and moving them towards an exciting, heartfelt resolution, Luqman-Dawson does not shy away from the realities of slavery. This lyrical story of hope, strength, and ingenuity will be gobbled up by young history buffs and adventure lovers. 

Hornbook

Starred Review
An engrossing, multi-perspective debut novel...[with] an explosive and cathartic conclusion.
Amina Luqman-Dawson

Amina Luqman-Dawson is the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning and bestselling author of Freewater and the pictorial history book Images of America: African Americans of Petersburg. Her op-eds on race and popular culture have appeared in The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more. She, her husband, and her son reside in Arlington, VA. Visit her online at aminaluqman-dawson.com.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780316056618
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date
February 01, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV011010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JUV016140 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - 19th Century
JUV001010 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure | Survival Stories
JUV039120 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Prejudice & Racism
Library of Congress categories
Brothers and sisters
African Americans
Slavery
Communities
John Newberry Medal
Winner
Coretta Scott King Author Award
Winner

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