Cy Williams, thirteen, has always known that he and the other black folks on Strong's plantation have to obey white men, no question. Sure, he's free, as black people have been since his grandfather's day, but in rural Georgia, that means they're free to be whipped, abused, even killed. Almost four years later, Cy yearns for that freedom, such as it was. Now he's a chain gang laborer, forced to do backbreaking work, penned in and shackled like an animal, brutalized, beaten, and humiliated by the boss of the camp and his hired overseers. For Cy and the boys he's chained to, there's no way out, no way back.
And then hope begins to grow in him, along with strength and courage he didn't know he had. Cy is sure that a chance at freedom is worth any risk, any sacrifice. This powerful, moving story opens a window on a painful chapter in the history of race relations.
This unflinching YA historical fiction explores the brutal reality of the post-Civil War South:
- Chain Gang Survival Story: Thirteen-year-old Cy Williams is stolen from his life and forced into a brutal labor camp where boys are shackled like animals and every day is a battle to live.
- Coming of Age in Chains: Forced to grow up in a world of casual cruelty, Cy must find a strength he never knew he had to protect not only himself but the other boys chained alongside him.
- Stories of Resilience: An unflinching look at the fight to hold onto hope and humanity when freedom seems like an impossible dream.
- Based on a True Story: Inspired by the real-life convict leasing system that targeted Black children after the Civil War, this novel illuminates a painful and powerful piece of American history.
About the Author :
David L. Dudley spent ten years as a parish pastor in the Lutheran Church before turning to university teaching. He is currently chair of the Department of Literature and Philosophy at Georgia Southern University, where he teaches African American literature. He has also taught prison extension courses. His published work includes numerous articles and essays, as well as fiction for young readers. Dr. Dudley lives in Twin City, Georgia, with his wife.
Review :
"Full of emotionally charged depictions of brutality, physical abuse, and prejudice, Dudley's third historical novel is a tough and painful read. Dudley's use of dialect helps immerse readers in the injustice of the story, as he risks everything in the name of freedom."
--Publishers Weekly "A ferociously well-paced book. . . Dudley invites a hard look at each individual's understanding of freedom, justice, and responsibility. It is a slanting truth across over a century in which much--and little--has changed."
--VOYA, 5Q 4P J S
"Life in the chain gang is relentlessly oppressive, violent, and heartbreaking. Cy's transformation from innocence to anger and, finally, with the support of his friends, to a leader willing to take risks is compelling."
--School Library Journal
