Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Published: 1st September
Format: e-book
Genre: Historical Fiction, YA
Recommended Reading Age: 9+
Rating: 6/10
‘Fourteen-year-old Lucky Valera is a seasoned sailor about to join the crew of the whaling ship, Nightbird. But when his estranged older brother suddenly kidnaps him and forces him into servitude as a mule spinner at the mill, his life takes a dramatic turn for the worse. Determined to escape, Lucky links up with some unlikely allies: Daniel, a fugitive slave who works alongside him at the mill, and Emmeline, a Quaker ship captain’s daughter. Emmeline offers Lucky passage on her father s ship in exchange for his help leading escaped slaves through the Underground Railroad, but Lucky knows getting out from under his brother won’t be easy. When their plans go awry and Daniel is threatened by ruthless slave catchers, Lucky discovers that true freedom requires self-sacrifice, and he comes eventually to realize he is part of a larger movement from which he cannot run away.’
Hmm I can’t say I really loved this book, but then I’m not the intended target audience either. I read Chasing the Nightbird fairly quickly (its only around 190 pages) and while it was enjoyable enough, ultimately I found it forgettable. I think I expected more going off the synopsis. So many books for younger readers nowadays are full of adventure and are so imaginative that Chasing the Nightbird pales a bit by comparison. Continue reading
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