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Freedom's Price

Twelve-year-old orphan Rory Fitzpatrick lives with her younger sister Violet at New York City's Foundling Hospital in the early 1900s. But when Rory discovers that Violet will be sent to the Arizona Territory to be adopted, her world is shattered. Although too old to be adopted herself, Rory—brave and smart—is determined to stay with her sister, even if it means hiding out on a train traveling west. When Rory and Violet arrive in Arizona, everything that could go wrong does go wrong. Will Rory give up?


  • Interest Level: 9 - 12

  • Pages: 224

  • ISBN-13: 9781629794327

Reviews :

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Books

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People

Grateful American Prize – Honorable Mention

Missouri State Teachers Association Recommended Books

"History comes alive in this imagining of the life of Eliza Scott, one of the daughters of Dred Scott, the slave at the center of a landmark case in American history.... Not much is known about the real-life Eliza, but these authors' depict her as brave, headstrong, and intelligent.... this book is a compelling and exciting narrative as well as a window into a possible history.... A great choice to support curriculum." School Library Journal


"MacColl and Nichols paint a vivid picture of slavery's brutal yoke... (e)xpect a savvy, energetic fighter in Eliza, and suspenseful plotting in this fine piece of historical fiction from the Hidden Histories series." Booklist

Excerpt:

The man holding the slave girl let her fall to the ground. She was as limp as a wet cloth, but the thud she made striking the cobblestones turned Eliza’s stomach. Bartlett stared down at her and the look on his face was the purest mean Eliza had ever witnessed. His right moved back, ready to kick the girl in the belly.

“No!” Without thinking, Eliza threw herself over the girl’s body and braced herself.

“Eliza!” Ma’s cry sounded above her head.

Eliza’s eyes were fixed on the toe of Bartlett’s boot swinging toward her head.

Freedom’s Price