Stealing Freedom - by Elisa Carbone (Paperback)

About the Book

Born a slave on a farm, Ann Maria Weems found her only joy in her family. One day, at the age of 12, she finds her entire family gone. Overcome with grief, her only hope of stealing back her freedom and finding her family lies in a perilous journey on the Underground Railroad. Inspired by a true story.

Book Synopsis

Inspired by a true story, the riveting novel of a young slave girl's harrowing escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

The moment Ann Maria Weems was born, her freedom was stolen from her. Like her family and the other slaves on the farm, Ann works from sunup to sundown and obeys the orders of her master. Then one day, Ann's family -- the only joy she knows -- is gone. Just 12 years old, Ann is overcome by grief, struggling to get through each day. And her only hope of stealing back her freedom and finding her family lies in a perilous journey: the Underground Railroad.

Ann Maria Weems was an actual slave who lived in the mid-1800s near the author's home in Maryland.

Review Quotes

"A deftly crafted story with a strong, appealing heroine." -- School Library Journal, Starred

"Imaginatively and sensitively adapted from historical records, [Stealing Freedom] will evoke admiration for the courage of both those who resisted slavery and those who endured it." -- Publishers Weekly, Starred

"Riveting . . . a thrilling and hopeful novel." -- Columbus Dispatch

About the Author

Elisa Carbone has lectured about Ann Maria Weems's life to teachers and historians.