About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager begins questioning the integrity of the adults they look up to, or when you want to explore the difficult tension between family loyalty and personal ethics. This gripping historical novel follows fourteen year old Phillip, an orphan who joins his uncles ship seeking a sense of belonging, only to discover his family is profiting from the horrific Atlantic slave trade. It is a powerful exploration of moral awakening, the weight of systemic injustice, and the courage required to stand up against one's own kin. While the historical setting provides a necessary buffer, the emotional themes of guilt and integrity are deeply relevant to modern adolescents navigating their own social landscapes. It is best suited for mature readers aged 12 and up due to its honest depiction of the cruelty of the era.
