Keepers of the Secret Code - by Kj Williams & Teresa R Kemp (Hardcover)

About the Book

Perfect for Black History Month!

Peter, a young slave, learns about sewing messages into quilts to direct runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad when he himself makes an enemy of the overseer. Based on a true story.

Book Synopsis

Peter Farrow is a slave. He's grown up with his family on Dover Plantation, South Carolina where he does small jobs. When he's not working, Peter likes to play with the other slave's children, or go fishing with the master's daughter, Emily. Sometimes, he even gets to sit in on Emily's school lessons and learn to read.

Since Peter is almost twelve, it's time for him to learn a trade. The master has agreed for Peter to apprentice with Samuel, the plantation's carpenter. Peter is happy he won't have to fetch and carry anymore, or work in the dairy, churning butter. However, Peter's mother decides it's time he learns the family's secret. She and her husband have been active in the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape. They use secret codes sewn into quilts and wagons with a secret hiding place. When traveling to other plantations doing work for the master, Peter's father transports runaways in the wagon's false bottom. Until now, Peter has been too young to keep a secret of this magnitude.

But John, the cruel overseer, has other plans for Peter. He wants Peter out in the fields, doing the backbreaking work of a grownup slave, where Peter is close enough to feel his whip. When Peter comes between Samuel and the sadistic overseer's whip, Peter makes a terrible enemy. Overseer John alerts the master about Emily spending too much time with Peter. When the two friends are caught together multiple times, the master decides to sell Peter down south.

Distraught, Peter's mother and father decide to "transport" him away from Dover Plantation before he can be sold. Using the secret quilt codes, other runaways join Peter's family as they make their way to the first safe house on the Underground Railroad. When they arrive, Peter's parents make the hard decision to send him on to Canada with Samuel while they remain in South Carolina, helping more runaways escape to freedom.

A poignant tale of an enslaved family making the difficult decision to "do their part" for their kinsmen instead of running together toward their own freedom.

Review Quotes

"This beautiful middle-grade work honestly, yet delicately, depicts the story of a young man learning the quilt codes used to help people escape slavery within the underground railway. I was moved to tears [as] the authors lead the reader on a beautiful, yet excruciatingly difficult journey. Yet there was...joy in the moments of sincere and giving love, generosity, and in the strength of the human spirit. I hope that all people have the opportunity to read this work, to feel the reality so artfully portrayed, and to learn.

Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to review this book."

Amy Brewer (She/Her), Senior Literary Agent, Metamorphosis Literary Agency

"Such a beautiful story. Your book truly captivated me..."

Elementary teacher Glenda (Burgland) Buttery

"Keepers of the Secret Code is bound to capture the hearts of middle readers everywhere! The book features a charming main character, Peter Farrow, a black boy, whose parents are slaves on Dover Plantation in South Carolina. What I really like is the historical Underground Railroad serves as the background, explaining how secret codes are sewn into quilts. This book needs to be on school librarian's lists! Simply a must buy!

Dr. Mary Ann Kerl, multi-book author, college professor