Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
Meet Rambler, a runaway slave roaming the countryside with a guitar, who knows the only way to stay free is to keep moving. Louis is another runaway, fleeing the plantation where he was raised, because he is about to be sold. And Jake and Mandy's marriage is damaged by slavery—and destroyed by freedom. Here is the African-American experience, brought alive by a master storyteller.
Synopsis
Meet Rambler, a runaway slave roaming the countryside with a guitar, who knows the only way to stay free is to keep moving. Louis is another runaway, fleeing the plantation where he was raised, because he is about to be sold. And Jake and Mandy's marriage is damaged by slavery-and destroyed by freedom. Here is the African-American experience, brought alive by a master storyteller. Lester has an eye for capturing the essence of a human experience..[His work] boldly proclaims the heritage of African-Americans. -The New York Times Book Review
Children's Literature
The masterfully written stories in this rich compendium of African-American history are based on historical fact. Spanning the period of slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, this book introduces readers to several people and events. We meet the adolescent slave named Louis who flees a plantation in Kentucky and crosses the Ohio River to ostensible freedom in Cincinnati, only to discover that he cannot escape from his master's reach. Ben lives on the McGuire plantation in Kentucky. Raised with his master's white son, he is as highly regarded as a slave can be. Ben is an integral part of running the plantation until his master dies and his role changes, when he is whipped and brutalized by the new overseer who is determined to put Ben in his place. There is much to appreciate here-finely sketched characters, poignant experiences and insight into the lives of African-Americans in 19th century America. An excellent choice for all readers, adults and children alike, this title, a National Book Award finalist and a School Library Journal Book of the Year, is also ideal for schools and libraries. 1998, (orig.