SYNOPSIS

Twelve-year-old Homer and his 8yo sister Ada are terrified to get separated from mom during their escape from the plantation into a nearby swampland.

They’re rescued and welcomed by a mysterious community of escaped slaves who have thrived in the safety of the swamp for more than a decade.

As Homer and Ada adjust to freedom, new friends, and survival in wilderness at Freewater, Homer is set on rescuing his mom.

Plantation owners hire militia to search the swamps and capture the slaves suspected of hiding there.

They arrive on the day of a wedding celebration on the plantation – just when Homer, Ada and their four friends prepare to sneak in, take mom, and steal tools.

Nothing goes as planned – yet six fearless children, unknowingly aided by a mischievous friend on the plantation, pull off an amazing heist.

Ten more slaves run away with them and join the Freewater community.

PERFECT AGE 11+

We love

• Written in beautiful prose, the book is a pleasure to read and hard (downright impossible!) to put down.
• Each Freewater “resident” is awe-inspiring in their own right, as if getting superhuman powers after escaping slavery. (Even Two Shoes redeems himself…)
• The children’s complex and fascinating personalities will give plenty of fodder for parent-reader conversations about character, bravery, obligation, guilt, etc.
• While this precise plot is not based on historical facts, the book serves as a great introduction to the history of the Great Dismal Swamp maroons.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Homer’s mom, Rose, returns to the plantation because of a promise he made. What do you make of her choice? How do you interpret Homer’s guilt?
• How do Homer and Ada adjust to life at Freewater? What is difficult for them? What habits do they need to free themselves from? What makes them happy?
• Sanzi looks for adventure but seems to always find trouble. What else, besides anger, might be causing her mom to forbid her to venture out?
• How do the children’s skills become helpful during the raid on the plantation? What changes to their original plan helped them succeed?
• After they are all back at Freewater, what changes do you think the community might have made to keep everyone safe in future?