By Freedom's Light - Softcover

Elizabeth O'Maley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0871952742 ISBN 13: 9780871952745

Publisher: Indiana Historical Society Press, 2009

Synopsis

To thirteen-year-old Sarah Caldwell, everything in Indiana is dark--the bug-filled cabin, the woods engulfing the farm, and especially the future. She is far from her beloved sister, Rachel, who stayed in North Carolina when their family moved. Their widowed father has married Eliza, a young Quaker schoolteacher, and Sarah has just discovered that Eliza is an abolitionist! Sarah believes she must tell her father about the secret, unlawful activities Eliza's sewing circle performs at Levi and Catherine Coffin's home. Yet when Sarah learns her sister will be visiting Indiana with her husband and baby, happiness and anticipation overcome her concern about Eliza. Rachel's family soon arrives, bringing Polly, a slave girl about Sarah's age. Thrown together to do farm chores and look after Rachel's baby, the two girls, white and black, free and enslaved, slowly develop a friendship. Between Polly's company and that of her extended family, Sarah's world brightens. Meanwhile, Sarah begins to question her beliefs about slavery. When bounty hunters nearly kidnap Polly, Sarah worries for her safety. Tensions mount within the cramped household as it appears that her brother-in-law may trade Polly's future for his family's prosperity. Ultimately, Sarah is faced with a bitter decision that could change forever the lives of her family.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Thirteen -year-old Sarah Caldwell is an unhappy Indiana pioneer. She misses her sister Rachel, who stayed behind in North Carolinga. Worse yet, their widowed father has married a young Quaker schoolteacher, whom Sarah has discovered is a secret abolitionist! Sarah believes she should tell her father about the unlawful activities that Eliza's sewing circle perform at Levi and Catherine Coffin's house. When Rachel and her family arrive for a visit, Sarah is overjoyed. Rachel brings Polly, a slave girl, with her. as Polly and Sarah become friends, Sarah questions her beliefs about slavery, Soon she is faces with a life-altering decision.

About the Author

An Ohio native, Elizabeth O'Maley received a BA in political science and an MS in school psychology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She has worked as a school psychologist in Cincinnati, Louisville, and Indianapolis, taught Sunday School in Fort Wayne, and published stories in "Your Big Back Yard" children's magazine and in church-related publications. This is her first historical novel for children.

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana Historical Society Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0871952742
• ISBN 13: 9780871952745
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 188