By Bertha Schwartz
The Searchers #1
Ambassador International, 2018
Summary
It’s the 1850s and Daisy, a slave girl from Alabama, is thrilled when her Mama is brought to her plantation to be the new cook. Six Oaks Plantation has been Daisy’s home for years, and the future looks bright now that she and her Mama have been reunited. The happiness doesn’t last, though, when a dangerous encounter with a notorious slave hunter endangers Daisy’s life. She has no choice but to run. Leaving behind everything she has ever known, Daisy strikes out alone on the Underground Railroad.
Daisy’s search for freedom leads her deep into the woods. Along the way she is joined by Simon, a four-year-old boy and his pet kitten. Pursued by dogs, uncertainty, and a slave tracker determined to capture them by any means necessary, Daisy starts to wonder if she will ever be safe again. Does Jesus care about runaway slaves lost in the woods?
Daisy's Search for Freedom contains thought-provoking discussion questions for young readers.
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My thoughts
Opening in Alabama during the 1850s, Daisy’s Search for Freedom is a suspenseful, emotional, educational, and inspirational read. It brings history to life for young readers and introduces us to the young slave girl, Daisy, who captured my heart. The author put a lot of care into the writing of this novel, for it touches on the atrocities of slavery without going into great detail or being overly graphic, and is definitely age appropriate for middle-grade readers. I enjoyed this story personally and loved seeing the people of the Underground Railroad in action.
Because Daisy had been taught to read, a crime for slaves, she was able to decipher code and pass on messages related to the Underground Railroad. Cruelty was prevalent, but so was kindness and courage. There are several twists and turns, right up to a surprise ending that I loved.
Daisy’s courage and simple trust in God are an inspiration for us all. She exemplifies how, with God’s guidance, we can rise to meet a need, doing more than we’re normally capable of. Thought-provoking discussion questions are also provided, making this story an excellent teaching tool.
Recommended for readers in the middle grades and also as an educational tool – book reports, home-school curriculum, etc. There are two more books in the Searchers series which are well worth looking into: Kelly’s Search for Family and Sarah’s Search for Treasure.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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Bertha Schwartz is a Swiss Amish transplant to the beautiful farmland of Nappanee, Indiana. She loves spending time with family and friends, including fifty-two nieces and nephews. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, sewing, and reading.
Raised near the lovely Swiss city of Berne, Indiana, Swiss is her mother-language. Languages and different dialects are a special interest of hers.
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