Which Way Freedom?

Obi had never forgotten the sounds of his mother's screams on the day he was sold away from her. Making plans to run away to find her was a secret game he played with friend Buka, an old African who lived at the edge of the farm.

When the Civil War began, Obi knew it was time to run — or be sold again. If he was caught, he'd be killed...or worse. But if he stayed, he might never know freedom.

Obi escapes from slavery during the Civil War, joins a black Union regiment, and soon becomes involved in the bloody fighting at Fort Pillow, Tennessee.

Obi had never forgotten the sounds of his mother's screams on the day he was sold away from her. Making plans to run away to find her was a secret game he played with friend Buka, an old African who lived at the edge of the farm.

When the Civil War began, Obi knew it was time to run — or be sold again. If he was caught, he'd be killed...or worse. But if he stayed, he might never know freedom.

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9 Obi, a young slave in the Civil War period, cherishes dreams of escape. When he confides his plans to Easter, another slave, she insists that he take her with him, as well as five-year-old Jason. A twist of fate enables Obi and Easter to escape, but without Jason. When they are recaptured by Confederate soldiers, a growing rift develops between Obi and Easter, who can not forget their abandonment of Jason. Obi makes plans for another daring escape, but this time he fears Easter will not come with him. In spite of its deceptively short length, Which Way Freedom? covers a good deal of ground. The historical detail never overwhelms but seems to grow naturally from the story. There is sufficient action to sustain readers' interest, but it is in the book's characterization that the chief strength lies. Obi is a sympathetic but fallible young man, often at odds with others and himself over the importance of freedom and loyalty. Obi's relationships with those close to him are subtly depicted; indeed at times in an almost too understated fashion. A sensitive, thought-provoking historical novel. Ruth Reutter, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Ohio

Joyce Hansen is a distinguished author of many books for children, both fiction and nonfiction, who specializes in African American History. Four of her books have received Coretta Scott King Honors, including Which Way Freedom, the first book in the Obi and Easter trilogy.