Paris was born and raised a slave on a South Carolina rice plantation. As a young boy, he used to look up at the birds, flying freely above him. He longed to be free like the birds, but in 18th century, pre-Revolutionary times, it seemed impossible. However, when the British came seeking slaves willing to desert their masters to fight their cause, a 15-year-old Paris saw his chance, and took it.
Based on a real-life Black Loyalist, Paris O'Ree, I Ran So You Could Fly (The Paris O'Ree Story) is a heartwarming, coming-of-age fictional account of a young man's search for and finding of freedom, not only for himself but for the generations that came after him.
In the face of adversity, prejudice, hunger, pain, punishments and heartache, he persevered in his pursuit of freedom and found it. He ran so he could fly like the birds he once admired. He ran to free himself and to provide a legacy of liberty to his descendants. Never would they know the chains of bondage. He ran so they could fly.
If you enjoyed Lawrence Hill's The Book of Negroes, you'll love I Ran So You Could Fly (The Paris O'Ree Story).
