In 1859, Clotee knows firsthand the horrible conditions slaves endure. She has secretly taught herself to read and write, but must keep it a secret, as slaves are forbidden to have such knowledge. Clotte eventually becomes a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping other slaves to freedom and must decide whether she will plan her own escape. This is a very true and interesting story. I definitely recommend this chapter book for students to read. ( )

Clotee has lived all twelve years of her life as a slave on the Belmont Plantation in Virginia. Now it's 1859, just before the start of the Civil War. Although she has known no life other than that of a slave, she has secretly learned how to read and write, and that ability gives her a glimpse of the world out there. To practice, she keeps a secret diary that she hides in a hollowed-out tree. An orphan most of her life, Clotee has managed to make the best of her circumstances, and writing is one of the few things that brings her any joy. When a tutor comes to the plantation to teach the master's young son, Clotee figures that he'll just be another predjudiced southerner. But he's an abolitionist that further expands Clotee's horizons, and he may be able to give her the one thing she longs for: freedom. I highly reccomend this beautifully written account of one year in the life of a fictional slave girl who lived in circumstances typical of the time. The fact that it is told through Clotee's diary allows the reader to really get inside her head and know her innermost thoughts, hopes, and dreams. ( )

Reviewed August 2005

Another excellent history diary, I wish I had these kinds of books when I was young, I would have had so much more knowledge by now. I would highly recommend these books to anyone needing historical knowledge, once they have this "first-hand" background they would be able to follow up with more serious reading. This book focuses on the life of the slaves at their masters at Belmont Plantation, Virgina in 1859. As usual the author weaves real historical events into the day to day events. As the slave girl learns about freedom and the word around her the reader also learns. Though this is a children's book, I felt that there was an overwhelming amount of violence included. Of course violence was inherent in this society but here it is very graphic. At least the near rape of Spicy and the half white half black children were mentioned but not explained. Surly the violence and disrespect a slave encountered varied with the different masters. It must have taken amazing will power to not lash out at your master, only total conditioning must have been present.

18-2005 ( )

Read by Marcie, Spring 2007

Wonderful story about a slave girl who’s job it is to fan the plantation owner’s son while he takes his lessons. Of course, she learns to read and everything he knows, she learns too and she practices writing by scrawling letters in the dirt. This opens her eyes to the real world and makes her yearn for something better – she also is very valuable to the movement to free slaves in other parts of America because she can read & write. Based on other famous “go-betweens”.