One night, Homer and Ada run with their mother from the plantation where they’ve been enslaved. And though Mom is captured, the two kids find an unexpected friend who leads them to Freewater, a secret town deep in the swamp.
One night, Homer and Ada run with their mother from the plantation where they’ve been enslaved. And though Mom is captured, the two kids find an unexpected friend who leads them to Freewater, a secret town deep in the swamp.
By the time Homer realizes that his mom is leading him and his sister, Ada, to freedom, it’s too late to take his friend Anna with them.
At his insistence, his mom goes back to the plantation to rescue her, too, only to be caught and whipped. Homer and Ada flee into the swamp, desperately trying to get away from the dogs and men hunting them. A man named Suleman—an escaped slave himself—appears and saves them, then leads them deeper into the trees and brush. The three finally arrive in a small town called Freewater—a haven for those who escaped slavery.
Suleman departs to patrol and wreak havoc on the cruel plantations that once enslaved him, and Homer and Ada are left to settle into their new home. They meet Juna and Sanzi, children of Freewater who have never experienced the cruel world outside. They’re also introduced to the insecure Ferdinand and timid Billy.
The adults make sure the children are cared for, and Homer and Ada begin to experience what freedom feels like—working for yourself rather than to profit the slaveholders. However, Homer can’t forget that his mom is still suffering back at the plantation, called Southerland, and that it’s his fault.
When Suleman brings word of the huge wedding to be held at plantation, Homer sees his chance to save his mom. To his chagrin, Ada and their new friends insist on coming, too. The group makes their way from Freewater to the outskirts of Southerland. But when plans go awry, Homer and his friends will have to use all their wits and skills to save his mom and return to freedom.
Heaven is mentioned.
Sanzi believes that a dream she had overnight will come true. The residents of Freewater pray to the swamp as a deity, thanking it and asking it for protection.
Stokes is Southerland’s cruel and abusive overseer. The owners of the plantation, the Crumbs, buy and sell individuals, giving no regard to their well-being or families. Sanzi’s parents are protective and caring, as is Homer’s mom. The Freewater community is very collaborative, and Mrs. Light acts as the unofficial leader of the town.
A dog bites Homer. Homer and Ada almost drown in the river. A man is whipped for trying to run away. Suleman shoots a snake with an arrow. Rose is whipped for trying to escape. Mrs.Crumb hits Anna. Anna wishes fire would rain down from the sky on Mrs.Crumb. Anna’s mother cut an arrow shape into Anna’s arm before they took her away.
Stokes calls runaways “darkies.” Rose drinks an alcoholic drink to ease her pain. Anna uses flowers and stolen alcohol to make a similar sedative to drug the wedding guests.
Sanzi had an older brother who died in the swamp after her parents escaped. People are beaten, and some melees involve guns, knives and slingshots. (People are sometimes wounded.) A militia man punches Ferdinand. Suleman hits a militia man with an arrow. Sanzi sets the wedding tent on fire with flaming arrows.
None.
Have you ever felt guilty like Sanzi? When? What did you do about it?
Think of a time when you had to be brave. Who are what helped you? How?
Read Hebrews 6:10 and Galatians 5:13. How should this verse impact how you treat your friends, family and those in need?
Get free discussion questions for books at focusonthefamily.com/magazine/thriving-family-book-discussion-questions.
Freewater is a well-written historical novel that doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. And that includes some violent and cruel moments. Though it is probably a bit long for some readers in its target age range, the interesting storylines and characters will keep the attention of those who love historical fiction.
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Review by Rachel Pfeiffer
