About Amina
Amina Luqman-Dawson loves using writing to tell stories and to build an understanding of race, culture and community. Her published writing includes op-eds in newspapers, magazine articles, travel writing and book reviews. She’s authored the pictorial history book Images of America: African Americans of Petersburg. She has a BA in Political Science from Vassar College and a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley. Her debut novel, Freewater, is a New York Times Bestseller, a John Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award winner. Amina, her husband, and 14-year-old son, reside in Arlington, VA.
Freewater
February 2022
After fleeing the plantation where they are enslaved, siblings Ada and Homer discover the secret community of Freewater, and work with freeborn Sanzi to protect their new home from the encroaching dangers of the outside world.
John Newbery Medal Winner!
Coretta Scott King Award Winner!
New York Times Bestseller List!
Indie Bestseller List!
Five Starred Reviews for FREEWATER!
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"An exceptional addition to the resistance stories of enslaved people."
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School Library Connection Starred Review!
"...filled with both hope and joy..."
Horn Book Starred Review!
"..[an] engrossing, multi-perspective debut novel. "
Publisher's Weekly Starred Review!
"..[a] wholly accessible novel of enslavement and resistance."
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Booklist Starred Review!
"This lyrical story of hope, strength, and ingenuity will be gobbled up by young history buffs and adventure lovers."
