About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is wrestling with the complex tension between family loyalty and the urgent need for personal autonomy. It is an ideal choice for a child who feels the heavy burden of legacy and is beginning to question the systemic injustices they see in the world. Set in 1848, the story follows Willow, a highly educated enslaved girl, who must choose between the safety of the known and the terrifying risks of a life defined by freedom. The book addresses profound themes of systemic racism, intellectual empowerment, and the sacrifice required for true independence. It is most appropriate for high schoolers due to its mature historical themes, providing a mirror for their own developing moral compass and a window into the harrowing realities of the American past.
