Freewater (Newbery & Coretta Scott King Award Winner)

Twelve-year-old Homer and his sister Ada flee from the Southerland Plantation, leaving their mother behind. They find a secret community called Freewater in the swamp, where Homer makes new friends and learns of a threat to the community. He crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Winner of the prestigious John Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award, this captivating novel has achieved remarkable acclaim. An Indiebound Bestseller, it has also graced the pages of the esteemed New York Times as a Bestseller. Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in American history, the story unfolds as twelve-year-old Homer, along with his younger sister Ada, flees the confines of Southerland Plantation, unwillingly leaving their beloved mother behind. Despite his deep affection for her and genuine concerns for her safety, Homer understands that there is no going back, not with the overseer relentlessly pursuing them. Braving treacherous terrain, concealed passageways, and even a sky bridge, the two children miraculously discover a hidden community known as Freewater, nestled deep within the treacherous swamp.

Within this society, formed by formerly enslaved individuals and a handful of freeborn children, Homer finds solace, forging new friendships that nearly erase his memories of his past. However, when he becomes aware of a looming threat that jeopardizes the very existence of Freewater, he embarks on a daring mission to reunite with his mother and protect his newfound home. This profoundly inspiring tale, loosely based on the historical accounts of maroon communities in the South, unfolds as a testament to survival, adventure, friendship, and unwavering courage.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 134 x 196 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780316056670