
"Willow" is a powerful historical fiction novel set in 1848, following 15-year-old Willow, an educated enslaved girl, as she confronts the agonizing decision to escape to freedom. Guided by 17-year-old Cato, a free Black man dedicated to the Underground Railroad, Willow embarks on a perilous journey along the Mason-Dixon Line. This book explores profound themes of freedom, family, love, and the immense bravery required to defy an unjust system. It's suitable for young adults aged 12-18, offering a compelling narrative that sparks discussions about American history, human rights, and the enduring spirit of resilience. Parents should be prepared for intense situations involving peril and discrimination, but the story ultimately emphasizes hope and empowerment.
In 1848 Willow, a fifteen-year-old educated slave girl, faces an inconceivable choice -- between bondage and freedom, family and love -- as free born, seventeen-year-old Cato, a black man, takes it upon himself to sneak as many fugitive slaves to freedom as he can on the Mason-Dixon Line.