Plot Summary: It's 1839 and Charlotte, a slave in Kentucky, has been sold to the Mammoth Hotel, a tourist spot that capitalizes on nearby undergroud caves for visitor interest. Once there she meets Stephen, another slave who gives tours of the caves to visitors. Charlotte doesn't understand the appeal of the caves, but soon finds herself drawn to Stephen, who loves the caves and considers himself free when he's touring and exploring them. While Charlotte and Stephen develop their relationship, Charlotte discovers that the Mammoth Hotel is more than it seems - it's also a stop for runaway slaves! While Charlotte struggles with wanting freedom and Stephen, who won't leave the cave he loves so much, an unexpected opportunity for change walks into her life. What will Charlotte decide to do?
Critical Evaluation: This book is well written and covers a contentious time in American history from the perspective of teen slaves. The story flows well and the reader is drawn into the world of Charlotte, Stephen and the other slaves at the Mammoth Hotel. We share her fears about being sold, finding her family and figuring out what Stephen means to her. Slavery is a dark mark on American history, but it is very important that teens and young adults continue to learn about the events during that period and books like these, that offer a fictional take on the time period from a perspective they can relate to are a great jumping off point for further learning. A well put together novel that really brings history to life for young adults and teens.
Reader's Annotation: 16 year old Charlotte is a slave in 1839 Kentukcy sold to a new place with a lot going on - underground caves, a new boy, runaway slaves. As she adapts to her new home life throws a few curveballs - come along for the ride as she deals with the ups and downs and the elusive search for freedom.
About the Author: Jean Ferris was born in 1939 in Kansas. She moved around a lot as a child and always kept a diary of her activities and began writing fiction when she was seven. After a BA and MA in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Stanford University, she discovered that the field was not a good fit for her and eventually turned to writing as a vocation.
She published her first young adult book in 1983, Amen, Moses Gardenia, inspired by the attempted suicide of a friend of her daughter. Since then she has dabled in other genres, but keeps coming back to young adult fiction and has written many titles. She now lives in San Diego, California with her husband where she continues to write.
Information retrieved from http://www.jeanferris.com/
Genre: Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties: History
Booktalking Ideas: Why is Stephen so excited about touring the cave? Where are other underground railroad stops in the Kentucky region?
Reading Level: 12+
Interest Age: 14+
Challenge Issues: Subject of Slavery
Challenge Response: Slavery is a fact of American history, this story offers a nice viewpoint without overly graphic content that would be upsetting for some readers. It provides a platform for disucssion.
Why is This Included: This book has great tie ins to history from the perspective of several different types of characters during that time. I think it would pique teen interest in learning more about slavery from the perspective of slaves and could inspire further research and investigation.
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