The Freedom Maze
The Freedom Maze is a historical fantasy in which a girl staying in 1960 Louisiana is sent through a magical maze to the antebellum period. It treats race, freedom, and family memory through a coming-of-age story.
Work Information
The past a girl meets beyond the maze changes her understanding of family history and freedom.
Published by Small Beer Press, the novel follows Sophie from 1960 into a nineteenth-century plantation, where she experiences her family line and the history of slavery. It received the Prometheus Award.
Review Summaries
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The book is valued for weaving the heavy history of race and freedom into an accessible work for younger readers. Its time-travel adventure becomes a reconsideration of family history.
Book Information
- Publisher
- Small Beer Pr
- Published
- 2011-11-22
- Pages
- 267 pages
- Language
- 英語
- Size
- 15.24 x 2.54 x 22.86 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9781931520300
- ISBN-10
- 1931520305
- Category
- 洋書/Teen & Young Adult/Historical Fiction
In 1960, thirteen-year-old Sophie slips through a maze into 19th century Louisiana and finds nothing is as she expected.
Delia Sherman is the author of two middle grade novels, Changeling and The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen , which was selected for the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Program. Her short stories for younger readers have appeared in numerous anthologies including The Faery Reel, Firebirds, Trolls Eye View, Coyote Road, and A Wolf at the Door. She is also the author of a number of novels for adults as well as the co-editor of two Interfictions anthologies, among others. Delia Sherman lives in NYC and is available to give readings, school and library visits, and teach workshops.
Reviews
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Prometheus Winner
This novel is the (co) winner of the Best Libertarian Science Fiction Novel of 2011. It really isn't science fiction, but it is a good examination of racism in the 1960s as compared to the 1860s. The time travel is really just a wink and a nod, but that's all that's needed for this book. I've had problems trying to teach my teenage children how bad things were when I was growing up. (They can't conceive of the fact that President Obama's parents were not legally married according to several states.) This book brings those attitudes front and center, in a book that also entertaining. I think the book is better marketed towards young adults, but (as with many YA boooks) it is still entertaining towards us old fogies.
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A book to read more than once
This is a very good read. Written for young adults but is enjoyable for older adults as well. I enjoyed the fantasy aspect of the book.
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The Freedom Maze
Back in time historical fiction skillfully told weaving coming of age; slavery; and divorce themes. No one has done it better.
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Beautiful immersive experience.
Really enjoyed the pace, the details, the magic, the beautifully articulated atmosphere. Not exactly sure what the take-away is, but a lovely & thought provoking story.
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6th grade daughter and I both really enjoyed.
Great historical details on a southern sugar plantation in 1860.