This story is a about two young girls during the 1850s. These girls were both outsiders, Rosabel was back and Sophie was Jewish. One day the slave catcher came into town and captured Rosabel’s mother who was a runaway. Rosabel and Sophie needed to buy Miz Violet’s freedom, and the only way they knew how to make a lot of money quickly was to go searching for gold. While the older men searched in open places, Rosabel and Sophie wiggled themselves between rocks and eventually found enough gold to buy Miz Violet’s freedom. Since the two girls were the first to find gold in this new area, they had received a claim document stating that the gold in that area was theirs. However, when the slave catcher came around with his cart and let out Rosabel’s mother, the girls knew that they had to set the rest of the people free too, and that’s just what they did. They gave the slave trader the claim to their land in exchange for the other slaves’ freedom.

I really enjoyed this story for its overall message and the authentic language that the author used to make you feel like you were really in the setting. The message of the story was that people’s lives are more important than some gold. For the girls knew that their claimed land was worth a lot, yet they traded it in exchanged for the rest of the slaves in the wagon because they knew that was the right thing to do. Money and riches cannot replace family and friends is what I took away from this message. The other reason I enjoyed this book was because of the language. Right from the beginning it caught me off guard because it does not read like a story written in Standard English, for instead it uses a Southern dialect with distinct slang words. For example, “See that hill over yonder? That’s Freedom Hill. Round these parts, everybody knows how it got the name.” The narrator was also talking to the reader as though they were actually speaking to them which allows for the lack of correct sentence structure and grammar. For example, “Trouble was, they had this thing called the Fugitive Slave Act, meaning runaways who got caught would be shipped back to their owners.” Even though I am not used to reading this style of language, it had me feeling more connected to the story which I liked. Lastly the illustrations really brought the story to life. Each page was filled with emotional events happening in the story. The paintings of the characters and the setting helped show the reader how long ago the story took place with the older style of clothing and the cast iron stove in the kitchen. Overall, I think the author and illustrators did a great job with this book. ( )

Reviewed on herebefiction.org: http://www.herebefiction.org/content/legend-freedom-hill ( )

Two girls one a free slave and another a young Jewess hunt for gold to buy the others freedom. With the help of the man at the assay office they lay claim to a gold mine they discover. When they go to buy the mother's freedom and they see the other slaves who have also been captured they buy their freedom too. The sum of this vividly illustrated picture book is summed up on the second last page when the whole town learned about "bout what matters in this old world of ours." An excellent read aloud for 2nd - 4th graders.

This book is about an African-American girl and a Jewish girl who becomes friends in order to look for gold to save the black girl's mother from slave catchers. Through all of the effort and hard work, they are able to find enough gold to free all the slaves. THis book portrays love, bravery and friendship.

I liked this book because it showed how two people from different nationalities and different backgrounds came together to accomplish a mission. I believe that if more people would work together the world would be a better place.

For an older classroom setting, I would incorporate this book by pairing each of my students with another student that was from a different nationality. I would give them 2 days to find out as much as they can about the other person and then I would have them present their findings to the rest of the class.

California in the Gold Rush era is the setting for this heartwarming story of an inter-racial friendship. Two little girls, one Jewish and one African-American, find enough gold to ransom the run-aways the slave-catcher has in his clutches. Colorful, realistic illustrations reflect the setting, characters, and drama. ( )