Slavery brings up a lot of opinions. Most people don’t have any direct information about what that time period was like. That can make it hard to picture what people went through. In William Henry is a Fine Name, Cathy Gohlke tells a story of a family that experienced both opinions on slavery. The son must now make a decision as to where he will stand.

Though probably better suited to older kids, anyone who reads it can see lessons in the story. You can see acceptance, forgiveness, persecution, hatred, and love displayed in the characters.

Robert is best friends with a colored boy, which doesn’t bother him or his father, but his mother is not thrilled with it. Robert sees blacks and whites both as people and doesn’t understand why many others don’t.

He begins to learn about both sides of slavery, abolitionists and slave owners. He sees what both sides gain, or lose, as a result of where they stand, and makes his choice.

Robert works to makes friends, regardless of skin color, and stands up for what he believes in, even when it costs him dearly.

Gohlke wrote a book that is easy to follow. Actually, I found it easy to get immersed in it. My attention was grabbed on the first page and I found it hard to stop reading. I was always wanting to find out what was going to happen next.

I received a free copy of William Henry is a Fine Name from Moody Publishers in exchange for this review.