Obi, the former slave called Jack, tells his account of how he and his friends escaped slavery on a South Carolina plantation to end up in Florida with the Seminole Indians. The book, Obi: Seminole Maroon Freedom Fighter is a short story that introduces one to the author’s ancestor, but seems to be well researched and told in a way to make the story interesting and appealing to a younger generation.

Many have probably heard about the Underground Railroad and the ability of slaves to escape North, but this book takes on a different journey to Florida, where slaves had help from Native Americans as well.  The story-telling was done in such a way that children will feel like they are there with Obi and his friends, and also in such a way that conversations about slavery and how slaves longed for freedom are sure to result.  This book would be a great supplement to any history course of that time period. The fact that it is also a quick read, with only 73 pages (there are several pages of appendix and glossary), would make it an easy book to include in any course or home study.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Blue Ocean Press

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  A few second hand brief mentions of abuse to slaves including whippings, dismemberment and beatings; one account of burning of village.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Slavery, physical abuse.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Two accounts of herbal mixtures used to ward off fatigue.