I pre-read this book for my son, and I was riveted! The loneliness of the Michael's life as an orphaned slave was terrible to me, but for young readers it's cushioned by the knowledge that he has many good friends and an optimistic nature. It seemed to me a well-researched book, and I learned new things about slavery in a port city versus slavery on a rural plantation, as well as about the lives of freed slaves and free-born black people in the North. If your child enjoys historical fiction (or you want her/him to enjoy it), I would recommend Seaward Born.

Share/Like this Review?