First published 1996
Daniel Arabus lives as a slave in Captain Ivers' house in Stratford, Connecticut, alongside his mother. His father died fighting in the Revolutionary War, but not before earning soldiers' notes that should have purchased their freedom. Mrs. Ivers has seized these precious documents from Daniel's mother. When Daniel takes the bold step of stealing back what rightfully belongs to his family, Captain Ivers retaliates by forcing the boy onto a ship heading for the West Indies, where permanent enslavement awaits. Daniel faces a desperate choice aboard the vessel. He might escape by jumping ship when they reach New York, but then he must navigate a perilous journey through unfamiliar territory. The road ahead promises danger at every turn, with no guarantee he can reach safety or reunite with his mother. Daniel must find the courage to fight for the freedom his father died to secure.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family, underdog
Setting: Stratford, Connecticut, New York, West Indies
Period: Revolutionary War
Paperback · Bantam Dell Pub Group (Juv)
Content warnings: slavery, violence