Freewater

Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

Some slaves escape the plantation and find "Freewater", a colony of free blacks. There are many others there, including those living in the trees. People enjoy their freedom. However, some want to return back to the plantation to find family members. One had promised to show where the escaped slaves were. Others tried alternative ways to get freedom. 

Meanwhile, back at the plantation, there is a big wedding celebration coming up. There is also a side story where a little girl follows a slave on an errand and sees how cruelly the whites treated the "darkies". A multitude of different events culminate in the wedding celebration, with the wedding tent burned down and many slaves escaping.

Slavery is viewed through very modern sensibilities. The term "darky" is used as the racial slur, rather than terms that would be more offensive today. Family is also viewed as extremely important. Would slaves really find it worth sacrificing freedom for many slaves just to be with one of their family members? The book implies that family binds are even more powerful than the whip in keeping slaves in order.  The slave community is portrayed as a bit of Utopia, with the plantation whites as primarily materialists. The ending destruction seems to be a set for a hollywood film. the book really bumps up the drama to tell the story.