About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler begins asking complex questions about the roots of American injustice or expresses a desire to understand the personal, human cost of history. This fictional memoir offers a deeply reflective look at the life of Cezanne Pinto, an elderly man looking back on his childhood as an enslaved person in Virginia and his daring journey toward freedom. It is a profound exploration of identity and the resilience of the human spirit. While the book addresses the harsh realities of slavery and the systemic racism of the 19th century, it focuses heavily on the emotional interiority of its protagonist. It is best suited for readers aged 10 to 14 who are ready for a serious, though ultimately hopeful, discussion about how we define 'home' when it has been taken away. Parents will appreciate how the narrative balances the trauma of the past with a sophisticated meditation on memory, storytelling, and the enduring search for family.
