A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
"A poignant and hopeful glimpse at the past for today's
curious readers." --Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor author
From the award-winning author of Eliza's Freedom Road comes the
powerful tale of a slave girl's triumphant journey to freedom with
her family during the Civil War.
Twelve-year-old Callie Wilcomb and her family are enslaved, and the
Civil War gives them hope that freedom may be on the horizon. On May 23,
1861, the State of Virginia ratified their vote to secede from the
Union. In Virginia, a window was opened where the laws of the land no
longer applied. Because of the Contraband Law, enslaved people no longer
had to be returned to their owners, granting them a measure of
protection and safety.
With the possibility of Callie and her family escaping their bonds
forever, Callie is eager to learn and become educated and hopes to teach
others one day. Through hardship and loss--with love and strong family
ties--Callie proves that freedom is in her stars.