title: Spirit Dream
author: Rolle, Joy
description: Rose, a virtuous and courageous fourteen year-old slave, endures abuse at the hands of her master.  After bearing his daughter, Hannah, she escapes with other runaways on the Underground Railroad at the onset of the Civil War.  Along her path to freedom, she meets many who are sympathetic to the anti-slavery movement, Levi and Catharine Coffin and other Quaker, Baptist, and Methodist abolitionists, freed slaves, and hospitable Indians. Not only do they have to endure brutal weather and harsh conditions, but they are constantly pursued by slave catchers, wild animals, and hunger.
   Rose is forced to grow into an adult as she encounters violence, brutality, injustice, and death on the road to independence. She must face her biggest fears as well as her confusing feelings for the handsome runaway, Noah, who leads the group to safety and freedom. Through it all, she learns to trust her visionary dreams, especially her own owl spirit.