A novel, ages 12 & up
A young slave suffers constant abuse at the hands of a cruel master. Sam’s only hope for escape lies with Osceola and the local Seminoles, proud Indians poised on the brink of war. Sam seizes his opportunity in the opening battle, but now he must quickly learn what it means to be a warrior. Joining the Seminoles and runaway slaves in the swampy wilderness, Sam falls in love with Okee-wa, a spirited Seminole girl, and faces life or death decisions that will test his loyalties. Based on the epic true story of two cultures united in a desperate struggle for freedom, Sam’s sweeping adventure offers one teenager’s perspective on growing up in a time of war.
Read Chapter One
Praise for The Seminole and the Slave:
“The book has a very strong opening and is brilliantly written, with terrific descriptive passages and dialogue. The author has created a rich tapestry that totally immerses the reader in the time and place of the setting. The plot is compelling; the characters are all well-developed and their motivations believable. The book has obviously been carefully researched, and the author’s passion for the subject shines through.”
– Writer’s Digest
“Because the relationships between these two groups are so little known, the story is an attention-grabber for anyone interested in American history. The plot follows realistic situations and is a wonderful novel to introduce young adults to this genre. The main character is the same age as the target audience: ages 12 to 15. The emotional changes and decisions he goes through coincide with those of the audience and truly allow the book and its characters to stick in the reader’s mind.”
– The Eugene Register Guard
“Very impressive. The topic is difficult, bridging several worlds: past and present, Indian and white, white and black, Native and African. The Seminole and the Slave gives a good sense of what such different people must have experienced and thought. As a historian, I found these worlds well conceived.”
– Matthew Dennis, Author and Professor, University of Oregon
Tom Cantwell 