Part of Elm Creek Quilts, book 7
First published 2006
Dorothea Granger lives in Creek's Crossing, Pennsylvania, as tensions rise before the Civil War. She stitches a quilt for her uncle Jacob, following five strange patterns he designed himself. When she learns the truth, her world shifts. The quilt contains hidden messages that guide enslaved people escaping north on the Underground Railroad. Her uncle has drawn her into dangerous work she never expected. Dorothea must choose between the safety of ignorance and the risks of helping others find freedom. As she commits to this secret mission, she discovers strength and bravery she didn't know she possessed. The work transforms her from a sheltered young woman into someone willing to face real danger. Along the way, she may also win the love of a man who sees her true character. Her journey from innocence to courage unfolds against the backdrop of a nation splitting apart over slavery.
Genres: american-civil-war, american-fiction, historical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: Creek's Crossing, Pennsylvania
Period: Pre-Civil War
336 pages · Paperback · Simon & Schuster
Content warnings: slavery