Synopses & Reviews
Samuel is a fourteen-year-old enslaved African American in Brooklyn in 1776 when the fighting between the British and the colonists reaches his doorstep. Soon the well-equipped Redcoats have trapped ragged American soldiers, who have no boats to escape, and a terrible storm blows up. Samuel, a strong boatman, must decide what he should do.
Review
"Fact and fiction are woven together seamlessly to create this richly textured story of a 14-year-old black slave during the early days of the American Revolution." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Samuel's initial uncertainty and his later resolution are beautifully portrayed. If students say history is boring, give them this book." School Library Journal
Review
"Readers will enjoy the action and heroism in the story and the full-page colored ink-and-pencil illustrations." Booklist
Synopsis
Samuel is a fourteen-year-old enslaved African American in Brooklyn in 1776 when the fighting between the British and the colonists reaches his doorstep. -Liberty ain't for Africans,- says fellow servants. -It got nothin' to do with us.- But his friend Sana says, -Nobody here's gonna be free unless they take the risk.- Soon the well-equipped Redcoats have trapped ragged American soldiers, who have no boats to escape, and a terrible storm blows up. Samuel, a strong boatman, must decide what he should do.
About the Author
Dr. Richard Berleth has worked widely in print media companies, advertising, and marketing. Dr. Berleth's specialty is direct response selling. He is also the author of a best selling adult popular history, The Twilight Lords, and has just completed a history book called "The Bloody Mohawk: War and Survival 1718 - 1794" soon to be published. He is also the author of many scholarly articles and several popular magazine pieces. James Watling has illustrated many children's books with historical themes including The First Thanksgiving by Linda Hayward. He lives near Montreal, Canada.