Review: Thought Provoking
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 2, 2013
The eighth sensitive treatment of how we can imagine the misery of the War Between the State affected the 'little people' -- including those of tender years and those who were not in a solid position to be decision makers. Safe House is a story that moves fast, so that it ends before you are ready! But it is also very thought provoking and will stay with you.Nathaniel, the leading character is only eleven -- I have a grandson that age. It is heart rending to watch/read about a boy growing up so fast to make mature decisions and choices between opinions and laws where his family members are at conflict as is the country around them. Battle hasn't reached this farm yet in terms of fierce fighting, but the battle between justice and sometimes law is running high. But, now Nathaniel is faced with choices regarding the lives of a runaway slave family. Will he help them escape or will he let the slave hunters find them and supposedly return them to 'rightful owners'.I'm sorry the boy had to appear to defy his mother about her stand to uphold the law at all costs. But, I wonder if she really would practice that in the face of sending people back to worse than a 'working bondage'.  I would find it difficult to believe that she is totally ignorant of the fate that awaits the runaway slave family at the heart of this story. I have to wonder if the mother wasn't on the side of this fine boy and his mission in her deepest soul.I'm proud of a child who should have been playing after chores, but who takes on a man's job of guiding people to deliverance at great risk to himself. He could have been judged in the swift courts of injustice and hung for his part in this escapade.He was helped and encouraged by his grandfather who felt the law and justice were at odds regarding the treatment of runaway slaves and the people who helped them.As mentioned by other reviewers, this story sort of leaves some space for a continuance of either Nathaniel's story or that of the slave family in question. I also hope that their story will come forth in future writing.  The author is very good, writing a clear story that appeals to grown-ups and younger readers alike. I plan to recommend it to my grandson.