About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to ask complex questions about systemic unfairness, or when they are exploring the deep connections between literacy and personal freedom. Through the intimate lens of Joseph Jacobs, the son of the famous Harriet Jacobs, this story explores what it means to belong to oneself while living in a world that claims you belong to someone else. It is an essential read for discussing the historical reality of slavery through a perspective focused on resilience, familial love, and the quiet power of the written word. Parents will find this an excellent bridge for talking about the history of the American South and the enduring strength of families separated by injustice. It is written with a raw, authentic voice that acknowledges the fear of the era while highlighting Joseph's growing agency and intellectual curiosity. It is best suited for middle grade readers who are ready for a realistic but age appropriate look at American history.
