Many know about the Trail of Tears and the constant harassment of the Native American Tribes by the white settlers who came and had no claim to their land, but took it anyway, wherever they went. Many know about the story of slavery and how African Americans were treated by their white owners and their struggles for freedom. But many do not know about the often untold story of those who were slaves among the tribes, how they were treated and what their lives were like. How many readers are aware that there were African American slaves walking the trail of tears?

This story is told from the perspective of a slave, a girl owned by a Cherokee family, who treat her as family, until times change and the time of removal comes closer. I found the change in the characters as they experience this history-in-the-making to be true and honest. The storytelling style of the main character reminded me deeply of the Cherokee stories and telling-styles that I had told to me in the past.

Living in North Carolina, I frequently visit the Cherokee reservation, but even I learned some history by reading this book. The way the author has to describe the removal, the camps and the long walk is amazing in its simplistic-potency. I doubt that any others could say as much with so few words and still hit the point straight to the heart and mind. The end of the book is a little contrived, but that didn't take the emotion away as I discovered what happened to the characters in the story, it only reminded me that this was a fictional family who lived life in a real time in the past. The joys were mine and the final sorrows of knowing that they wouldn't know what I knew were just as real as each character felt in my heart. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable read to bring hope through the sadness of history. ( )

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The story focuses on the character of Armentia, as she tells the reader about what it was like for her growing up as a black Cherokee. At first she is unaware of her status as a slave, but then her brother is sold and her family forced to evacuate to Oklahoma during the time of the trail of tears. Foster brings history to life in a powerful way, as this young women is forced to leave her family, give up her son, and endure all sorts of abuse throughout her life. Foster documents her research and explains how her own genealogy inspired the story. This is an aspect of history most of us have never been taught and Armentia as a person who shared both black and American Indian heritage is a fascinating character. Some of the events of the book seem contrived, but for the most part this is a very enjoyable read. ( )

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I liked the story presented by this book. I didn't tire of it and was able to read it quickly.

I appreciated the window into events with which I was barely acquainted. I added to my understanding of the Trail of Tears which the book handled in depth and with believable detail. The descriptions reminded me of a similar forced march portrayed in One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus (a book I have repeatedly recommended and praised).

The language choices used to present the attempts to turn the protagonist into a "breed mother" worked well.

The characterization of Mama Emma's guilt and denial over her role as a slave keeper rang true as did Armentia's struggle with her feelings for and expectations of Mama Emma.

Yet, the book is not without its shortcomings.

I never connected on an emotional level with the protagonist.

The inclusion of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, Juneteenth and the Land Rush felt contrived. The last third of the book seemed rushed.

As I read, I occasionally had the feeling that the sentiments or, at least the vocabulary used to express the sentiments, were too contemporary.

The religious message was heavy handed. The multiple chapters dealing with the middle of the night preaching session were overlong.

The book succeeds in some measure on an educational level but, on a story telling level, it hits just shy of the mark. ( )