★ 2023 年美國紐伯瑞文學獎金獎 ★
19世紀早期的美國南方,12歲的荷馬和妹妹艾達在夜色的掩護下,百般不情願地離開母親,一起逃離種植園。荷馬知道再也不能回頭了,逃亡的兩人在沼澤深處找到一個名叫Freewater的秘密聚落。這裡由曾為奴隸的人們組成,並有一些在這裡出生的孩子。荷馬在這裡交到了新朋友,幾乎要將過往拋之腦後,但這時他發現這個祕密基地正面臨著威脅,於是他想了一個計畫,試圖要找到母親,並守護他的新家園。
環繞著生存、冒險、友誼和勇氣,這本深具啟發性的少年小說,帶領讀者以一種新的方式看待黑奴的歷史。本書同時榮獲紐伯瑞文學獎金牌獎(Newbery Medal Winner)與科瑞塔.史考特金金牌獎(Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner)。
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.