title: Unbound: A Novel in Verse
author:  Ann E. Burg 
description: Gr 48Grace is a light-skinned, blue-eyed slave who is called to work in "The Big House," leaving behind her family and friends in the fields. What she sees of the Master and Missus gives Grace even more motivation to escape, including Missus's decision to sell members of Grace's family at the auction block. Soon, Grace and her family flee to the Great Dismal Swamp and become "maroons" who survive independent of society. This is a historical novel in verse written in a Southern patois. Though some might find the language challenging, strong readers will appreciate the rhythmic flow of the poetry and the well-executed pacing. Shedding light on a period of U.S. history that is often ignored, Burg's portrayal of the Great Dismal Swamp and the runaways' sanctuary reads like a testimonythe book is, in fact, based on narratives of the formerly enslaved. VERDICT This is an ideal selection for classrooms and libraries and would incorporate easily into history and social studies curricula across a wide grade range, from upper elementary through middle school.Shalini Miskelly, St. Benedict Catholic School, Seattle
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  ![cover](resources/_cover_.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  # Where the Blue Begins
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Christopher Morley
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Munsey's.
  
  
  http://www.munseys.com
  
  CHAPTER ONE
  
  
  CHAPTER TWO
  
  
  CHAPTER THREE
  
  
  CHAPTER FOUR
  
  
  CHAPTER FIVE
  
  
  CHAPTER SIX
  
  
  CHAPTER SEVEN
  
  
  CHAPTER EIGHT
  
  
  CHAPTER NINE
  
  
  CHAPTER TEN
  
  
  CHAPTER ELEVEN
  
  
  CHAPTER TWELVE
  
  
  CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  
  
  CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  
  
  CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  
  
  CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  
  
  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  
  
  
  
  
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  This etext was scanned by Dianne Bean of Phoenix, AZ,
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  TO FELIX and TOTO
  
  
  
  
  
  "I am not free—
  
  
  And it may be
  
  
  Life is too tight around my shins;
  
  
  For, unlike you,
  
  
  I can't break through
  
  
  A truant where the blue begins.
  
  
  
  
  
  "Out of the very element
  
  
  Of bondage, that here holds me pent,
  
  
  I'll make my furious sonnet:
  
  
  I'll turn my noose
  
  
  To tightrope use
  
  
  And madly dance upon it.
  
  
  
  
  
  "So I will take
  
  
  My leash, and make
  
  
  A wilder and more subtle fleeingÄ
  
  
  And I shall be
  
  
  More escapading and