This is the story of a young flute player shanghai'd to 'dance the slaves' on a slaving ship. Very compelling, not great literature but definitely a page-turner, Newberry Medal winner - it's definitely young adult lit, so it's graphic but not salacious, once again I learned about things I wish hadn't happened.

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A great book. Great for middle school readers, but can be read by adults too.

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A Laurel-Leaf Newbery
Fox has woven a spellbinding tale of suspense and survival that will horrify as well as fascinate readers.

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A wonderful and striking story, places the young reader right in the center of the time of the slave trade, and is shown from several sides. Fascinating and terribly sad.

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Thirteen year old Jessie, thrown aboard a slave ship, must play his fife so captured slaves will dance. What can he do about it? Won a Newbery award.

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I really liked the history and details in this book, shows a great relationship between men how they adapt to situations. Great historical read about something we don't really know all that much about.

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I thought this book was excellent, my first about a slave ship journey. This is supposed to be for young adults but it seems awfully heavy to me for a younger person. Well written with good character development and no effort to hide the atrocities of the slave trade.

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