Freedom on the Sea: The True Story of the Civil War Hero Robert Smalls and His Daring Escape to Freedom

Gr 1-4–This book authentically recounts the story of the author’s great-great-grandfather, Robert Smalls. From a young age, Smalls worked on ships in Charleston, SC. As an enslaved person, he lived with his wife and two children above the Mill House Hotel, where his wife worked and he dreamed of making enough money to buy freedom for himself and his family. But an opportunity arose for another way to escape slavery. With the Civil War breaking out, he planned to steal the ship he was working on, the Planter, sailing the Confederate ship through the Union blockade to freedom. With the help of 16 enslaved people, including his family, he daringly passed through several Confederate forts without being stopped and bravely flew the surrender flag when he approached the Union Blockade. Because of his efforts, all 16 people were set free. The collage illustrations are a perfect pairing for this courageous story. The author adds veracity with a letter to readers, sharing about his connection to the book.