The story had me hooked from the beginning, it’s an amazing story of freedom from slavery set in Alabama in May 1850.
Due for release in June 2016 by Darf Publishers, written by Francesco D’Adamo and translated by Sian Williams.
Captain Archer and his intimidating guards with their fierce dogs, protect the land and prevent the slaves from leaving. Tommy is part of a family of slaves and meets Peg Leg Joe, who turned out not to be the devil but a spirit in disguise, who was to lead Tommy and his family away from slavery and into the promised land of freedom, Canada.
‘ Are you a Devil?’ he asked….
The man squatted on his heels, ‘No’, he replied. ‘Are you?’
‘No way!’ exclaimed Tommy.
‘Well then,’said Peg Leg Joe,’we can trust each other.’
Tommy had to admit that was reasonable.
Now the boy could see the man properly, and stared at the wooden leg sticking out of his right trouser leg. So it was not a cloven hoof. P.3
They travel along the legendary Underground Railroad, which stretched for miles across the country’s vastness,the network famously facilitated more than 100,000 slaves to a new life. For Tommy the journey is far from easy and he takes on responsibilities ahead of his years. He later becomes a guide along the routes, moving silently and bringing many people to freedom .
Tommy also learns to read and at one stage discovers a poster advertising a ‘Sale of Slaves’. Knowing that he could read he discovers a truth…
‘His heart beat very fast. He was unlocking a secret, and would find something that the others, his father,mother,sisters could never know. But he would! Confusedly,he understood that doing this made him strong. p.103′.
A powerful book and has lots of links with the current refugee movements.
This is a young adult book and recommended for age 10 years and beyond.
Sue Martin 
Books Go Walkabout and Dolphin Booksellers.
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