
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the desire for independence or wondering where your family fits into the larger map of history. It is an ideal bridge for the transition from picture books to historical novels, offering a gentle but honest look at the quest for self-reliance. The story follows young Everett Turner as he leaves his farm to join the Exodusters, a group of Black settlers seeking a life of freedom in Kansas. Through Everett's eyes, children explore themes of courage, the necessity of community, and the bittersweet nature of leaving home to find one's purpose. It is a hopeful, empowering narrative that provides essential context for American history while remaining centered on the relatable emotional journey of a boy finding his footing in the world.
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Sign in to write a reviewThemes of leaving family behind and the loneliness of the road.
The book deals with the legacy of slavery and post-Reconstruction racism, but it does so with a direct, secular, and age-appropriate lens. The focus is on the agency of the Black settlers rather than their victimization. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, emphasizing hard work and mutual support.
An elementary student who enjoys stories about "running away" or adventure, but who is also beginning to ask sophisticated questions about their own heritage and the meaning of freedom.
Read the historical note at the end together. The book is approachable, but younger children may need help understanding the political context of the 1870s to fully grasp why Everett's family was so protective. A parent might notice their child expressing frustration with family chores or rules, or perhaps the child has expressed feeling like they don't "fit in" to their current environment.
Younger readers will focus on the adventure of the journey and the animals. Older readers (9-10) will pick up on the societal pressures that drove the Exodusters and the significance of land ownership.
Unlike many historical books that focus on the trauma of the South, McKissack focuses on the pioneering spirit and the specific history of Nicodemus, providing a rare look at Black western expansion.
Part of the Scraps of Time series, this story centers on Everett Turner in 1879. Feeling stifled and seeking a life beyond the family farm, Everett joins the Exoduster movement, Black Southerners migrating to Kansas after the Civil War. He travels to Nicodemus, Kansas, facing the physical and emotional hardships of the trail before discovering the power of community in building a new town.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.