Ann Maria Weems describes her freedom as being "taken from her." She works the entire day and has a master. One day her family vanishes. She longs to steal her freedom back and find her family. Her road to freedom is inspiring and motivating and will have the reader rooting for Ann. Very strong writing and very worth reading. ( )

Inspired by a true story, the riveting novel of a young slave girl's harrowing escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The moment Ann Maria Weems was born, her freedom was stolen from her. Like her family and the other slaves on the farm, Ann works from sunup to sundown and obeys the orders of her master. Then one day, Ann's family -- the only joy she knows -- is gone. Just 12 years old, Ann is overcome by grief, struggling to get through each day. And her only hope of stealing back her freedom and finding her family lies in a perilous journey: the Underground Railroad. Note: Ann Maria Weems was a slave who lived in the mid-1800s near the author's home in Maryland.

Narrated by Robin Miles. I never could finish the audio because there was always a production defect on disc 5 of the sets I borrowed at the library. Will have to finish in print at some point. Miles compellingly voices the emotional highs and lows of a slave family whose father is the only one who is free. ( )

Ann Marie Weems was a slave in 1853 on a farm in Marylan. She worked from sun up to sun down. Her life is not an unhappy one because she is surrounded by her loving family, until the Prices begin to sell them off one by one, until she is the only one left. When she is 12 she escapes with a white abolitionist, on the underground railroad. This will not be an easy journey, but she makes it to Canada, where she finds her family. Ages11 and olders should enjoy this book.

Ann Maria Weems is left behind when her family is bought by abolitionists and freed.
Beyond being an inspiring story, this book is also a frank look at slavery. The detail is astonishing. From the scene where young Joseph is whipped for being stronger than the master's nephew, to young Benjamin having his father's blue eyes, the author looks honestly at how the lives of slaves and their owners crossed every day.
Ann Marie's life unfolds in a very clear way. The author uses her story to advantage, and makes the day to day life and longing of this little girl into a real page turner.
I would recommend this book for children 6th grade and up, with the caveat that it could lead to uncomfortable questions from the younger set. ( )