Tennessee, 1862. Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Edwards hates her personal slave, Anna. Elizabeth has never given much thought to the plight of the slaves on her father's plantation; instead, she focuses on pretty dresses and horses, and dreams of the young man she wants to marry. But Elizabeth's world collapses when she is told she must marry her cousin to keep the plantation in the family. Elizabeth takes out her anger on Anna, who finally snaps and reveals that Elizabeth and she have the same father. Anna is brutally whipped the next day, and Elizabeth is horrified. When she tries to confide in her mother, she finds her secretly kissing Elizabeth's tutor. Elizabeth now feels she has nothing and nobody. She changes her attitude about Anna and asks her to run away with her. They are overheard by two stable hands, Fred and Sam, who have heard of a safe house on the Underground Railroad. The four of them set off, planning to reach Canada. Will they all make it to Canada alive? Does Anna truly forgive Elizabeth, or is she just using her? Is it possible to find love on the run?

Plantation Children

“I command you to read to me,”I say.“You have to do what I tell you or you’ll be punished.I shall make sure of that.”I don’t know why my chest heaves or my throat chokes up.But it does and I can’t stop it.If I can’t make Anna show emotion any other way,then I will shame it out of her.


Anna holds the book with half-open eyes.


“You’re too stupid,”I say hoarsely.“My papa told me so.”


Anna’s eyes flame again and she snarls:“Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.”


I chuckle.“I’ve never heard of such a book,but for someone who can’t read you made a good guess.What’s on the first page?”


But now Anna doesn’t answer.Her eyes are wide.


My heartbeat quickens and I snatch the book from her hand.


“Who told you the title of this book?”I whisper.


Anna’s eyes go back to their normal size.“Mr.Williams,Miss.He told you the day he gave it to you.Don’t you remember?”


Chapter 9