“A fictionalized story about the life of young Booker T. Washington. Living in a West Virginia settlement after emancipation, nine-year old Booker travels by lantern light to the salt works, where he labors from dawn till dusk. Although his stomach rumbles, his real hunger is his intense desire to learn and read… Bradby’s text is eloquent, presenting phrases and spinning images that capture the intense feelings in the story… All of the images, underscored by a dramatic use of shadow and light, work with the words to create a moving and inspirational story.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal