Based on the true story of Amos Fortune of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Amos Fortune was born At-mun, son of an African king. In 1725, when he was 15 years old, he was captured by slave traders, brought to America, and sold at auction. For 45 years, Amos worked as a slave under two masters to buy his own freedom. Free at age 60, and having bought three wives (the first two died less than a year later), Amos eventually moved to Jaffrey, where he started his own tannery, became a full member of the local church, and died a free and prosperous man at the age of 91.
Amos Fortune, Free Man was the 1951 Newbery Medal winner. 192 pages, softcover.
A Newbery Medal Winner
When Amos Fortune was only fifteen years old, he was captured by slave traders and brought to Massachusetts, where he was sold at auction. Although his freedom had been taken, Amos never lost his dinity and courage. For 45 years, Amos worked as a slave and dreamed of freedom. And, at age 60, he finally began to see those dreams come true.
"The moving story of a life dedicated to the fight for freedom."—Booklist
Elizabeth Yates (1905–2001), prolific American author, won the 1951 Newbery Medal for her novel Amos Fortune, Free Man. She also received a Newbery Honor in 1944 for Mountain Born.
Nora Unwin (1907–1982) illustrated more than one hundred books for children.
Praise for Amos Fortune, Free Man
"The moving story of a life dedicated to the fight for freedom."—Booklist
