About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to ask complex questions about the meaning of freedom and how history is rarely as simple as 'good guys versus bad guys.' This story follows twelve year old twins, Gratielle and Pierre, who find themselves caught in the crosshairs of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. While the world around them is focused on the conflict between the British and the Americans, the twins are focused on their own survival and the quest for true independence in a society that treats them as property. Robinet masterfully balances high stakes adventure with a deep, sensitive exploration of racial injustice and family loyalty. The emotional weight of the story is grounded in the twins' resilience and their ability to find agency despite the chaos of war and the presence of dangerous pirates. It is an excellent choice for middle grade readers who enjoy historical fiction that challenges the status quo and offers a perspective often missing from traditional history textbooks.
