Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommended: for Middle School students, gr. 6-9
Level: Middle School

When the Yankees pass through her plantation on Sherman's march through Georgia, Mariah grabs her brother, Zeke, and an older woman, Dulcina, and accepts the soldiers' offer of a ride to freedom. Life on the plantation has been hard for Mariah and the other slaves, but Mariah has high hopes for better times ahead. Mariah gets to know Caleb, a handsome blacksmith who was born free and is working for the army, and they start to dream of a future together. Not all of the Yankees are thrilled to be freeing the slaves and traveling with them, however, and when they reach Ebenezer Creek, Mariah realizes that being free doesn't necessarily mean that she will achieve her dream of a better life.

There were many things to like about this book. The characters were well fleshed out, and as the reader, I became invested in their lives early on. I admired the way the author slowly let the reader see what the slaves' lives had been like, in case there was any doubt that they had made the right decision to flee. My one complaint is that the author spent the entire novel building up to the crossing of Ebenezer Creek but then only spent a couple of pages on the actual crossing. The ending felt rushed and anti-climactic. There was more information in the author's note, but I wanted that built into the story. I was left feeling disappointed and wanting more. ( )

Here's an excellent YA novel about the little known time in the lives of freed slaves before the Civil War was actually over. Mariah and the others on the Georgia plantation where she lived are swept up in Sherman's March as they leave bondage to travel with the Union Army. Caleb, a freeman, meets and helps the small group and falls in love with Mariah. Living free, however, does not mean being safe, as some in Sherman's army are as racist and cruel as any slaveowner or confederate soldier. The story is based on true events, and the author paints a memorable tale, both gratifying and horrifying, and makes a strong case for restitution for slavery via historical fiction. Highly recommended for all middle school students, and adults will find it a quick and memorable read. ( )