This is a wonderfully written novel with deeply important and painful to read subject matter. I cried many times as I read the atrocities that are included in this book. While difficult to read it is extremely important to know and understand the horrors that slaves were subjected to each moment of their lives. We can not stop teaching our history, we can not ignore our past, we can not gloss it over. I will have both my daughter and son read this book when they are appropriate ages. We will have deep discussion about the injustices and evil that is still all too common. I applaud Ms. Johnson for doing the research to be able to write as accurately as possible about history from the point of view of slaves. We need more stories from the other side of history. Well done. Highly recommend for all.