Oh, Freedom!

It is the year 1850. Tommy and his family, along with their neighbours, are slaves and the property of Captain Archer. They live and work on his cotton plantation and are managed by the cruel Pastor, Jim Kniff and his overseers. Their future is to work hard, long hours with the constant threat that they could be split up and sold at any time. One day a stranger, Peg Leg Joe, arrives and sings a song to the village that will change the lives of Tommy and his family forever. Oh, Freedom! is an accessible book for a younger audience that gives us an idea of the threat to slaves making their way to freedom on The Underground Railroad. Tommy and his family set out with another couple and Peg Leg Joe on a perilous journey in their attempt to find a better life. Followed relentlessly by Jim Kniff, his overseers and dogs, they are starving, cold and frightened. Will they reach Canada and freedom? The book is beautifully but simply written. It manages to convey the terror, hardship and suffering without presenting the pure brutality and torture that was endured by so many people. The book would be ideal for reading groups as it would create great discussion and I will certainly recommend it to year 7/8 readers. I also think it would work well with the History department. 138 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Lorraine Ansell, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+