Title: Daisy’s Search for Freedom
Author: Bertha Schwartz
Series: The Searchers #1
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Publishing Date: June 17, 2018
About the Book:
It’s the 1850s and Daisy, a slave girl from Alabama, is thrilled when her Mama is brought to her plantation to be the new cook. Six Oaks Plantation has been Daisy’s home for years, and the future looks bright now that she and her Mama have been reunited. The happiness doesn’t last, though, when a dangerous encounter with a notorious slave hunter endangers Daisy’s life. She has no choice but to run. Leaving behind everything she has ever known, Daisy strikes out alone on the Underground Railroad.
Daisy’s search for freedom leads her deep into the woods. Along the way she is joined by Simon, a four-year-old boy and his pet kitten. Pursued by dogs, uncertainty, and a slave tracker determined to capture them by any means necessary, Daisy starts to wonder if she will ever be safe again. Does Jesus care about runaway slaves lost in the woods?
Daisy’s Search for Freedom contains thought-provoking discussion questions for young readers.
My Review:
Daisy’s story is a middle grade historical fiction piece that is age appropriate in content. It introduces kids to the concept of the underground railroad while sparing some of the more harsh realities. Several times the characters are met with situations that more realistically would have resulted in their capture, but instead are met with people that are willing to help them. Young readers become aware of the dangers without having to witness them in the story.
For me the writing style lacked some of the flow I would prefer however I would also say it’s similar in content to other books for the age-range. The further you go up in reading level the more detail is added into the works and a better flow is created. It’s also one that I think will interest kids when they are at the appropriate reading level, but may not hold their attention as they get older simply due to the content and attitude of the characters. When looking at other reviews for this story, others suggest the story for ages 10 and up. In my opinion I think the story would be best between ages 8 and 12. There is a level of optimism and positivity in the story that becomes unrealistic to readers after a certain age and knowledge of history.
*I received a copy of this book from the author through JustRead Publicity Tours. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Sounds like a good book to introduce young readers to the Underground Railroad. Thanks for sharing!
I have this on my list for the next week or so. It sounds like a good one.