In December of 1606, three ships carrying the first permanent English settlers in America - 105 in all - headed for the British colony of Virginia. Approximately four months later, on April 26, 1607, they sailed into the Chesapeake Bay, finally arriving at a peninsular in the James River; there, the pioneer colonists disembarked. They named the settlement they established in the area, James Towne.

Twelve years later, in August of 1619, a ship carrying about 50 Africans, stolen from their homes and villages, arrived at the settlement; more than 20 of these wretched souls were left behind, sold into slavery.

By the time a young African girl - barely 12 or 13 years old - was stolen, transported to America, and sold or traded into slavery in the late 18th century, the transatlantic slave trade had been operating for over 180 years.

The child was brought to America, sold to a South Carolinian rice planter and renamed Charlotte. She is forced to become a breeder, eventually dying in childbirth. Half a century later, after witnessing the savage flogging and slow murder of a runaway slave whose attempt at escape was unsuccessful, Charlotte’s progeny attempt to escape the brutality of slavery to freedom in Canada with the help of White abolitionists and free Blacks. Their lives depend on reading and interpreting coded messages hidden in patterns stitched into quilts. Failure is not an option, but the dangers are many and ever-present. Will they make it to Canada?

The story is narrated by 88-year-old Thomas, the grandson of the slave girl, Charlotte, and passed down through successive generations. It is not until much later, in the 21st century, that Charlotte’s identity is revealed through the magic of DNA testing.

This exciting and educational historical fiction story is rooted in actual historical events and is sure to inspire thoughtful discussions about this period of American history; it is suitable listening for history lovers, as well as for high school and college students, and adults.