Freewater

I put Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson on my to-read list after it won the 2023 Newbery medal. The book description says, "Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, unwillingly leaving their beloved mother behind. Much as he adores her and fears for her life, Homer knows there’s no turning back, not with the overseer on their trail. Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the swamp. In this society created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children, Homer finds new friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home."

This was a great read. It took me a little bit to get through because I kinda hit a lull in the middle, but once I got back into it, I was able to finish it out quickly. I really loved the well-developed characters (mainly children!) and their bravery and courage, and I appreciated the glimpse into the terribly unfair and difficult lives enslaved people had to live. This book reminded me of another book I read (Unbound) that took place in a similar setting (enslaved people finding refuge in a swamp).

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)