A Most Perilous World: The True Story of the Young Abolitionists and Their Crusade Against Slavery

Gr 8 Up–Gaddy follows the friendships, romances, ambitions, and insecurities of four teenage children of famous abolitionists who grew up steeped in their families’ fervent values and lifestyles, becoming staunch abolitionists themselves. Gaddy’s documentary-style use of newspaper clippings, personal letters, and alternating third-person narration relates the lives of George Garrison (son of William Lloyd Garrison), Lewis Douglass (son of Frederick Douglass), Lucy McKim (daughter of Miller McKim), and Charlotte Forten (granddaughter of James Forten) from the early 1850s through the Civil War. The story of each is unique, but the abolitionist circle was small, so their lives intertwine. Both Lewis and George were not content to help run their fathers’ newspapers, bristled under their family’s wishes, and went off to fight for the Union during the war. Charlotte was a dedicated educator of African Americans, had poor health, and married into the prominent Grimke family. Lucy studied and taught music, published the first collection of songs by the enslaved, and married Wendall Garrison, George’s brother. Gaddy’s meticulous research is well documented with an extensive bibliography and detailed source notes (index not seen). Hand this to history buffs, historical fiction fans, and teens who enjoy coming-of-age stories. This is also a good choice for reluctant readers assigned to read a book with primary sources. Readers will feel like they are visiting old friends as the pages fly by in this captivating narrative nonfiction that pulls at the heartstrings.