Absolutely excellent book!
Slavery, underground railroad, freedom, choices, coming of age. ( )

Robert is a 13 year old boy growing up in the time just before the Civil war. As the story begins, he has little to worry himself besides the trouble he gets into with his best friend, William Henry. But Robert is at an age where he begins to be aware of the issues around him, which include slavery and how black people like his friend William Henry are treated. Robert gradually discovers his family's secret--his father is an abolitionist who helps with the underground railroad, but his mother grew up on a southern plantation that uses slaves. Robert finds himself forced to make a stand on the issue--one that could alienate him from his mother, his best friend, or his father.
This was a fine historical novel, and a short read meant for teens or middle school read. ( )