Freewater (Newbery & Coretta Scott King Award Winner)
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Book Overview
Winner of the John Newbery Medal
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award
An Indiebound Bestseller
A New York Times Bestseller Award-winning 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. Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, unwillingly leaving their 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 swamp. In this society created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children, Homer finds new friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home. Deeply inspiring and loosely based on the history of maroon communities in the South, this is a striking tale of survival, adventure, friendship, and courage.
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award
An Indiebound Bestseller
A New York Times Bestseller Award-winning 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. Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, unwillingly leaving their 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 swamp. In this society created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children, Homer finds new friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home. Deeply inspiring and loosely based on the history of maroon communities in the South, this is a striking tale of survival, adventure, friendship, and courage.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0316056618
ISBN13:9780316056618
Release Date:February 2022
Publisher:Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Length:416 Pages
Weight:1.04 lbs.
Dimensions:1.4" x 5.2" x 7.8"
Age Range:9 to 12 years
Grade Range:Grades 4 to 7
Customer Reviews
1 rating
slaves history
Published by 'A Mango-Shaped Space' Lover , 8 months ago
read this. now. or else. you will fall in love with juna and/or rose.
Freewater Mentions in Our Blog
The 2023 Book Awards Roundup
Published by Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 21, 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, we thought it would be a good time to review some of this year's celebrated books. Here is a selection of the winners of literature's most distinguished awards and honors.
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