The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Luqman-Dawson, Amina. Freewater. Little, Brown and Company, 2022.

Freewater opens in the swamps outside of Southerland plantation during the times of slavery. Two children, Homer and Ada, are on the run with dogs and enslavers chasing after them. They have attempted an escape from Southerland with their mother, Rose. Rose ended up going back at Homer’s insistence because he left behind his friend, Anna, who he had made a promise with to escape slavery together. Homer feels tremendous guilt about this, but he remains hopeful that his mother was not caught and that they will be reunited. He frequently repeats the steps they have taken since their escape in the hopes that if he can remember the steps, his mother will be able to find him.

Eventually the children come across Suleman who is an escaped slave himself who spends his time stealing supplies from plantations for escaped slaves and helping former slaves escape to freedom. Ada is in awe of Suleman. They go on a long journey by foot on until they eventually come to a Big Tree and Freewater. Freewater is a place where a group of abandoned slaves created a community in the swamp. They formed it near the tree because the tree gave them shelter and sustenance when they thought they might die. Since forming this community, they have built homes, planted cornfields, made a sky bridge, had children, and developed a system of patrols to keep everyone safe. Children born in Freewater are taught safety rules from the very beginning.

Homer and Ada meet Sanzi, Juna, Billy, Ferdinand, and other children of Freewater. Billy and Ferdinand are escaped slaves themselves, but Sanzi and Juna were born in Freewater. Billy has a stutter, and Ferdinand has nightmares, both because of their experiences during slavery. Juna and Sanzi do not have these emotional scars. Juna listens to her mother and is considered her mother’s protege while Sanzi is more adventurous and attempts to mimic Suleman, whom she idolizes. She does not understand the dangers of slavery and as such takes risks that put many in danger.

Homer decides to take advantage of a wedding happening back at Southerland to free Rose and Anna. The other children accompany him. Billy, who previously was very timid, makes numerous brave moves on the trip to Southerland and while there. When they arrive, Sanzi and Ferdinand attempt to steal some supplies, and they meet up with militia meant to hunt them down. With the help of the others, they are able to break free. Meanwhile, Homer goes to the wedding and is seen by Stokes, the overseer, before he can rescue his mother. Sanzi comes, however, with Suleman’s arrows of fire, and starts the wedding tent on fire. Homer, with the help of Suleman, is then able to rescue his mother. The children gather tools to bring back to Freewater, and they, along with a handful of other slaves, escape and make Freewater their home. Billy has become more brave through this journey and finally is able to give Juna a bracelet he made for her and has been too timid to give to her.