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.
Bertha Schwartz is a Swiss Amish transplant to the beautiful farmland of Nappanee, Indiana. She loves spending time with family and friends, including fifty-two nieces and nephews. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, sewing, and reading. Raised near the lovely Swiss city of Berne, Indiana, Swiss is her mother-language. Languages and different dialects are a special interest of hers.
My Impressions:
Thoughtfully-written, Daisy’s Search for Freedom by Bertha Schwartz is a wonderful book for children in grades 3-6. Set in the American South of the 1850s it features a young slave girl and her journey towards freedom. Daisy is a great character who will capture your child’s imagination. Smart, resourceful, and grounded in her faith, the young teen is determined to make her way North. I loved that Daisy is concerned for her fellow slaves and relies on God in times of fear and danger. There is plenty of suspense to keep readers engaged as Daisy eludes slave hunters. Surprises and twists are plentiful as well; some right up until the end. Along with great historical detail and a challenging vocabulary, a very thorough discussion guide for each chapter makes this book an excellent choice for a homeschool curriculum.
Daisy’s Search for Freedom is the first book in Schwartz’s Searchers series which focuses on a variety of topics in American history. And while I am well beyond the target audience 😉 , I would love to read more from this author.
Recommended.
Audience: children grades 3-6.
To purchase, click HERE.
(Thanks to JustRead for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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