SUMMARY: A boy being sent into a life of slavery desperately thinks of a way to save himself and his mother.

REVIEW: This book is a great look into history, particularly the struggle of slavery. It contains language and illustrations that are simple enough for children to understand, yet are also slightly challenging. The main message of this book is to never give up hope. For example, the boy keeps trying to save himself and his mother despite countless, seemingly impossibly to overcome obstacles. I believe that children will find this book a very interesting, thoughtful read. ( )

Evidently, it was a common practice in the Revoultionary War for men who could afford it to pay someone to fight in their place. In this story, Daniel's father was a slave who was sent to fight in his master's stead in exchange for his freedom. When he returns, his master renigs on the agreement.

The interesting thing about this book was the thread running through it about peoples perceptions about the moral capabilities of blacks, both from its main character, Daniel Arabus, and from whites.

"It's generally said that Africans don't have a true moral sens, the same as whites do."

"Sir, I've been looking at the whole thing pretty hard the past litle while, and it seems to me that there ain't much difference one way or another. You take my daddy, and Big Tom, and Mr. Ivers and Birdswy and me, and take the skin oof of us, and it would ber pretty hard to tell which was the white ones and which ones wasn't." ( )

Daniel Arabus and his mother are slaves. His father served in the Revolutionary War and earned notes that could buy his family’s freedom. However, Daniel’s father died and the slave owners stole the notes, so Daniel attempts to find a way to gain freedom. ( )