Unbound By Ann E. Burg

Mama says we got two days 
before I leave for the Big House.
Says it’s no use
stampin our feet or cryin.
Says there’s things we can change 
n things we can’t.

You’s only goin up the hill,
she says, smilin.
But her voice quivers, 
n a sorrowin tear clings 
to her bottom lash.

Up the hill don’t seem far, 
but Master Allen lives
up the hill,
n if you cross Master Allen, 
he might send you away
like he sent away Uncle John.

It was the first book I read in 2025. I had originally gotten it for my 13-year-old daughter, but once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The story was both realistic and perfectly suited for kids.

*Unbound* by Ann E. Burg is a poignant historical novel set during the period of slavery in the United States, specifically around the time of the Civil War. The story is told through free verse poetry and follows the journey of a young enslaved girl named Moth. After her family is torn apart by the brutal realities of slavery, Moth finds herself facing the harshest of circumstances, yet she remains determined to survive and reclaim her freedom. 

The novel delves into themes of resilience, hope, and the powerful bond of family, as well as the deep trauma of slavery and the fight for justice. It emphasizes the emotional toll that slavery took on its victims, and through Moth's eyes, readers witness both the horrors and the small moments of resistance and courage that kept the spirit of freedom alive. 

The poetic format of the book gives it a lyrical, emotional quality, amplifying the pain and hope experienced by Moth and others caught in the system of slavery. *Unbound* ultimately portrays the strength of the human spirit and the pursuit of freedom against all odds.