Tales Retold

Freedom's Eve

By: Dawn Caldwell, Bryce Caldwell (Illustrator)

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Hardcover | 2 September 2025

At a Glance

Hardcover
104 Pages

Age
8 - 12

Grade
4 - 6

Dimensions(cm)
27.94 x 21.59 x 1.12

Hardcover

$27.75

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Freedom's Eve is a historical fiction children's book that follows Layla, a little mouse living in an antique shop, who is magically transported back to a South Carolina plantation during the Civil War era by the spirit of Hawa, a young enslaved girl. Through Hawa's guidance, Layla witnesses the realities of slavery from New Year's Eve 1862 (when the Emancipation Proclamation took effect) through the eventual freedom that came in 1865. The story explores the daily lives, struggles, and resilience of enslaved people, their rich Gullah culture and language, and their journey to freedom. Written by Dawn Caldwell with illustrations by Bryce Caldwell, the book aims to teach honest history about slavery while honoring the strength and cultural heritage of the Gullah people.

Industry Reviews

"A memorable historical book that left me in awe, told by an author that through her research, gives the reader an opportunity to travel with Layla in time. An experience I shall never forget, and makes me excited to see what adventure is awaiting Layla in the next book." -Linda Smith

"Ms. Caldwell has such a talent for bringing history to the present and in a more detailed and insightful way. The reader will understand how amazing their will to survive, their support for each other and their faith was. I learned more from this book than my school history class. I read her first book, A Time for Tea and now this one, Freedom's Eve and can't wait for her next one. Thank you, Dawn, Layla and Hawa for not letting us forget." -Lisa Parsons

"Well-developed story covering a year in the life of a young slave girl during the time of American slavery. The story has been well researched and is very well developed. It is rich in description of the products, tools and foods of the time period. Enough talking to keep you interested, but plenty of action as well. I truly enjoyed reading this story." -Tracy Cole

Thank you for this opportunity to review, Dawn Caldwell's 2nd book in the Tales Retold Series. Both children and adults will enjoy this retelling of history. Her imagination in creating, Layla, Nana and the Antique Store with the treasures from the era in which history was made, is amazing. It gives each reader a better understanding of living in those times. Look forward to the next adventure. -Michael Jiles

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