Will’s Race for Home

Black 12-year-old Will sets out with his mule Belle and his sharecropper father to claim land in this riveting historical saga by Rhodes (Treasure Island), set during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush. Desperate to escape his boring life and experience his own adventure (“I want to do something. Leave our tiresome home”), Will is determined to prove himself during the trip despite Father’s claims that he’s “not tough.” But the journey proves difficult as the two contend with rattlesnakes, racism, and thieves. After they encounter a former Union soldier named Caesar and his horse, Midnight, Will and Father’s relationship begins to evolve as Will learns more about the cost of freedom for Black people. Short, quickly paced chapters depict Will’s fight for survival and his noble, ever-present desire to provide a better future for his family. Ripe with historical facts and moments of high tension, this adventurous story reflects on the aftereffects of violence on soldiers and what life looked like for Black citizens following the conclusion of the Civil War. It’s an empowering read that never loses sight of Will’s profound exploration of adolescence. Ages 8–12. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Jan.)