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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Controlling your own narrative and writing your own story are two big themes in Unbound. Slavery is a system that kept people legally and mentally bound for years. One young slave can't help but question a system that forces her to forsake suspend her own sense of right and wrong to survive. When she learns about her master's plan to divide her family, she must use every ounce of courage to plan a dangerous escape. This book is a relatively quick read and a good choice for historical fiction. The word choices might be problematic, but overall it's a good read.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
They told her to keep eyes on the ground, that was the only way she would survive her new position in the Big House. However, Grace feels God and hope in the sky. Grace is an opinionated girl, who lives during a time when African Americans are slaves and punished for talking back. It is through Grace's inability to live with injustice that she and her family begin their path to freedom.
This historical novel shows that the North was not the only place in history during slavery that offered potential safe havens for runaway slaves. The Great Dismal Swamp is a new intriguing part of history that Burg highlights.
I enjoyed this novel and enjoyed the messages it provides. The characters were believable.
This historical novel shows that the North was not the only place in history during slavery that offered potential safe havens for runaway slaves. The Great Dismal Swamp is a new intriguing part of history that Burg highlights.
I enjoyed this novel and enjoyed the messages it provides. The characters were believable.
This is a novel about slavery told in verse and focusing on a nine year old protagonist named Grace. Grace is moved away from her mama and family to go live in the Big House because of her light skin and blue eyes which help her pass as almost white. Since the Missus has heard that slaves of lighter skin tone are smarter and can be trained better, Grace is brought in to become the next house slave.
The story focuses on the horrifying emotional realities of slavery. The plot is interesting and well developed, but the characters are what drive the story. Grace has to deal with being separated from her family and witnessing slave beatings more directly. One thing leads to another and Grace and her family must make a split second decision to flee for their lives or be sold and separated at the auction block.
This is a really thought provoking book and one that illustrates the fear and oppression of slavery.
The story focuses on the horrifying emotional realities of slavery. The plot is interesting and well developed, but the characters are what drive the story. Grace has to deal with being separated from her family and witnessing slave beatings more directly. One thing leads to another and Grace and her family must make a split second decision to flee for their lives or be sold and separated at the auction block.
This is a really thought provoking book and one that illustrates the fear and oppression of slavery.
Loved loved loved that this was in verse. Haven’t read one of those in awhile. From the first page I was hooked on graces story of being a slave and her journey of escaping. Great and quick read!
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A wonderful free verse novel about a completely unknown community of runaway slaves. The narration was compelling as nine year old Grace is forced to leave her mother to move to the Big House to serve the Allen's. After an unfortunate outburst about the injustices Grace witnesses and is forced to endure, Grace must hash together a desperate escape with her family into the nearby but deadly swamp. What she soon finds is that while the living is dangerous and unpredictable, she and her family are Free.
The free verse moves the story along though I never found the style to be an asset. A straight up historical fiction novel would have been just as powerful.
Grades 5 and up.
The free verse moves the story along though I never found the style to be an asset. A straight up historical fiction novel would have been just as powerful.
Grades 5 and up.