For the child curious about history and leadership, this book delves into the life of King Ferdinand I of Naples, exploring his challenges and the path to freedom during his reign.
A parent might reach for this book when their mature older child or teen is ready to understand the harsh realities of global injustice, like modern-day slavery. Based on a true story, this book follows a young Ethiopian boy's capture and harrowing journey to freedom. It's a powerful and challenging read that explores deep themes of resilience, the meaning of freedom, and the perseverance of the human spirit. Best for ages 12-14, this book is an important, perspective-shifting tool for families wanting to discuss difficult real-world topics and the strength it takes to overcome incredible adversity.
Protagonist is in a constant state of life-threatening danger, facing starvation, violence, and capture.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and graphically with child slavery, human trafficking, physical abuse, violence, and starvation. The approach is not metaphorical; it is a raw, realistic depiction of trauma. The resolution is ultimately hopeful as the protagonist does find freedom, but the narrative does not shy away from the lasting psychological scars of his experience. The perspective is secular.
Ideal Reader
A mature 12 to 14-year-old reader who is beginning to grapple with concepts of global injustice and human rights. This is for the child who has read adventure and survival stories and is ready for one with significant real-world weight. It is an excellent, though challenging, choice for a young person passionate about social justice.
Parent Prep
This book is not one to be read cold. Parents must preview it, especially the chapters detailing the physical abuse L.M. endures. A pre-reading conversation about the existence of modern slavery is essential to provide context. This is an ideal book for a parent and child to read concurrently to facilitate discussion. A parent has heard their child asking questions about news reports on refugees, human trafficking, or war. The child may be expressing a burgeoning awareness of unfairness in the world and is looking for stories that don't offer simple answers.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) might focus more on the survival and adventure elements: the physical journey, the close calls, and the protagonist's resourcefulness. An older reader (12-14) is more likely to engage with the complex themes of trauma, systemic injustice, the meaning of freedom, and the psychological toll of L.M.'s experience.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books about slavery that are set in the distant past, this is a contemporary story based on a living survivor's testimony. Its immediacy and unflinching first-person perspective make the abstract issue of modern human trafficking feel concrete and deeply personal, closing the gap between history and current events.
Read plot summary
This novel is based on the true story of L.M. Abebe, a young boy living in rural Ethiopia who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. The narrative follows his brutal experiences in captivity, his courageous escape, and his subsequent long and perilous journey on foot across East Africa. He faces starvation, violence, and exploitation while searching for safety and a new life.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The title is 'A Road to Freedom'. What did 'freedom' mean to L.M. while he was a slave? How do you think his understanding of freedom changed throughout his journey?
2
L.M. encounters many different people on his travels. Why do you think some strangers chose to help him, while others were cruel or indifferent?
3
Knowing that this is a true story about a real person, L.M. Abebe, how did that affect your experience reading about the terrible things he endured?
4
Resilience is a major theme in the book. Can you identify a specific moment where L.M. showed incredible mental or emotional strength, even when he must have felt hopeless?
