Jip His Story

Katherine Paterson's "Jip, His Story" is a powerful historical novel set in 1850s Vermont, following 12-year-old Jip, an orphan abandoned as an infant and mistaken for a gypsy. Living and working at a poor farm that houses mentally ill residents, Jip's life takes a dramatic turn when he uncovers the truth of his parentage: he is the part-black child of an escaped slave. This revelation brings with it the terrifying reality that he is considered property by a slave-owning farmer. The book explores themes of identity, belonging, justice, and the harsh realities of slavery, offering a poignant look at a child's struggle for freedom and self-discovery amidst historical injustice. It is suitable for middle-grade readers aged 8-12.

Poignant story about a boy in 1850s Vermont who discovers he is the son of a runaway slave