In a review for the Exeter Alumni Bulletin, Marcia Carlisle, a former history teacher and a founder of the Exeter Humanities Institute, wrote,

"Freedom Calls is good social history and a good story for kids growing up."

I was pleased that she focused not only on the two main characters Abby and Louisa, but also on Genevieve, Louisa's mother, a woman from New Orleans who had been both granted and denied her freedom.

"Genevieve's narrative, like that of Louisa and Abigail, opens doors for young readers to see the world as a complex place"

If you'd like to read the full review go to http://www.exeter.edu/documents/exeter_bulletin/fall_01/review.html.

Kelly Milner Halls touches on the definition of heroism in her review. She writes:

"In Freedom Calls: Journey of a Slave Girl, author Kem Knapp Sawyer proves that courage knows no gender."

- Washington Post Book World, May 13, 2001

To read more see http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentI...

Others wrote:

"Kem Sawyer has paid meticulous and painstaking attention to historical detail in her riveting story for young readers."

- Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch, March 2001

"Through the use of historical documents, diaries and letters, Sawyer paints a chilling picture of enslaved life... Highly recommended."

- Hutton Book Review Services, February 2001

"A compelling novel... Wondering if Louisa makes it will keep young readers turning the pages."

- Washington Parent, August 2001