Families who loved Escape of Robert Smalls, The by Jehan Jones-Radgowski often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is starting to ask complex questions about fairness, freedom, or how one person can possibly stand up against a large, unfair system. It provides a concrete example of how intelligence and preparation are just as vital as physical bravery when facing injustice. This true story follows Robert Smalls, an enslaved man who executed a daring night time mission to commandeer a Confederate ship, disguised as its captain, to deliver his family and crew to safety. It is a masterclass in calculated risk and resilience, perfectly calibrated for elementary aged children. Parents will appreciate how the book handles the heavy reality of slavery through a lens of agency and triumph, making it an empowering historical lesson rather than a purely tragic one.
