The End of the World and Beyond

Oliver is just a kid. A kid who needs to eat. Who’d blame him if he took a few shillings that he didn’t think belonged to anyone? I wouldn’t. You wouldn’t. But the judges of England in 1725 think differently. Now poor Oliver is on a convict ship and, before he knows it, has been sold to a cruel man by the name of Fitzhugh to work as an indentured servant for seven years. While on his plantation, Oliver meets Bara, a slave who also wishes to escape. Together they plot and plan, and when the time comes, they hope they can make it. Will they have enough courage to flee to freedom? Or will Oliver be forced to work on that terrible plantation for seven years? Read this thrilling page-turner to see.

This is a really great book. You empathize with the hero and hate the villain. You are really able to get caught up in the story. There is adventure sprinkled with friendship dashed with hope and despair and then drenched in a healthy scoop of historical fiction! However, this is not a good choice for younger bookworms. Fitzhugh treats Oliver badly, and of course the convict ship is not a luxury cruise. But for older kids, it is a captivating story. Also, this is the second book in this series. I would suggest reading the first before trying this one. I was able to muddle through, but I didn’t know who some of the characters were, and I think it would have been easier had I read the first book. Plus, if the first is like its sequel, it will be awesome!

This is a heartwarming, exciting, soon-to-be-your-new-favorite-book, and I beg you to read it. Please. I am begging you. Read it.