Lottie's Courage: A Contraband Slave's Story

by Phyllis Hall Haislip

In 1862, a ten-year-old girl and an old woman start a new life after they escape a slave trader and are rescued by Union soldiers, who take them as "contraband of war" to Fortress Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.

Genres: Historical Fiction

201 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Taylor Winslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lottie’s Courage: A Contraband Slave’s Story. By Phyllis Hall Haislip. White Mane Publishing Company. 2003. 201 pages.

Though less circulated than many other reviewed historical fiction novels, Lottie’s Courage is no less enthralling. Meticulous research and inclusion of real accounts and memoirs awarded this novel the 2005 Beacon of Freedom. This story follows Lottie, a slave born on a Virginia plantation, as she’s sold South during the Civil War. Before reaching her dreaded destination however, Lottie and her newfound companion Weza escape and become contraband of war. Lottie is an inspiring, courageous, and resourceful heroine who receives help from other powerful women in her journey to find freedom. This book explores nuances of slavery and the Civil War that children and adults alike could benefit from. Compelling and fast-paced, Lottie’s Courage is a thrilling and frightening reminder of our country’s not-so-distant atrocities.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first young adult book I've read in years, "Lottie's Courage" interested me because it tells the story of "contraband" self-liberated people who took refuge in Fort Monroe during the Civil War. Like all good historical novels, Haislip's book brings the events of the past to life and personalizes them through characters that the reader can identify with. For teachers and students, the book is a good story that appears to be historically accurate, told from an important point of view. As a bonus, the end offers classroom resources for discussion and writing assignments. With today's focus on race and history, the story of self-liberated freed people is more important than ever and I recommend this book highly.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the Civil War, if slaves made it to Fortress Monroe, they were declared contraband of war and so were considered free and protected by the Union soldiers. Lottie’s Courage is a gentle story showing what life was like in Grand Contraband Camp through the eyes of a young girl. It’s a quick read, and is historical fiction done right. I very highly recommend it to children and adults who enjoy historical fiction.

[Marilyn Geary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book centered on the experiences of one young slave and her journey to freedom. Book is fiction, but events and people in the book are real. Book written for YA, older children, but readable for adults, too. Well researched, and presented. Highly recommended.

[Suzi Stembridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about a young slave girl written for young people is so engrossing that I read it to the end with great pleasure and learnt such a lot about the American quest for independence and about Abraham Lincoln.
Lottie is ten years old. Life has never been easy for her and her mother but as far as being reasonably treated the two slaves in America's southern state of Virginia know they cannot complain; that is until their mistress dies and Lottie's mother is inherited by their former mistress's sister. Lottie herself must be sent to the slave market, auctioned, bought by slave traders (the worst fate) tied to other slaves and driven south.
The author Dr. Phyllis Hall Haislip is a respected and renowned historian but she has another skill, she brings alive the American Civil War, together with the horror and injustice of slavery; and whether you are a parent reading with your child or a young person seeking a thrilling read you will not be disappointed. If your knowledge of history stops with European history you will come away with a picture of Virginia as a confederate state; of Fortress Freedom controlled by Union soldiers and its atmosphere of optimism rising above the deprivation and the poverty, as freedom becomes a distinct possibility for all slaves in Virginia. To bring the liberation enjoyed by the Yankee or Union States in the north huge charitable acts by American citizens were made and by the soldiers in the first half of the 1860s. Not to forget the heroic efforts of President Abraham Lincoln. Through all these intense events Lottie, painfully shy, desperate to be reunited with her mother must learn to trust those who seek to help her and fight for her liberty. Highly recommended.

[Rachel N · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a young slave sold to a cruel slavemaster and separated from her mother at the start of the Civil War. Lottie escapes the slavemaster, with the help of elderly Weza who takes Lottie under her wing. They end up at historic Fortress Monroe in Virginia, home to thousands of “contraband slaves.” There, under horrible living conditions, Weza starts a laundry business, Lottie goes to school for the first time under the tutorship of a teacher sent by the American Missionary Society of Boston, and they both wait anxiously and hopefully for the end of the war. An excellent account based on historical documents and traditions. A valuable supplement to a child’s study of Civil War, Slavery and Human Rights.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows ten-year-old Lottie who has been sold at a slave auction. With the care and encouragement of an older woman, also slave, she gains courage and confidence on her journey to freedom. Black-and-white reproductions of prints and photographs help to give credence to the reality of the experience of slavery. There are content questions, a glossary, and other teaching tools in the back.

[Marcy]

This book is a really good story. I met rhe autor in colonial williamsburg a while ago and her books are amazing.