Trouble Don't Last

By Shelley Pearsall

A young slave's escape reveals secrets and a path to freedom.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,204 ratings

256 pages· 53,660 words

$8.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1859, young Samuel is thrust into a perilous escape from slavery with the gruff Harrison. As they navigate the treacherous Underground Railroad, Samuel confronts the unknown meaning of freedom and uncovers hidden truths about his past. With each step north, the promise of a new life in Canada grows, challenging both Samuel and Harrison to overcome their fears and past traumas. Will they find the freedom they seek, or will the journey prove too daunting? Discover a tale of courage, hope, and the enduring quest for a better future.

From the publisher

Eleven-year-old Samuel was born as Master Hackler’s slave, and working the Kentucky farm is the only life he’s ever known–until one dark night in 1859, that is. With no warning, cranky old Harrison, a fellow slave, pulls Samuel from his bed and, together, they run. The journey north seems much more frightening than Master Hackler ever was, and Samuel’s not sure what freedom means aside from running, hiding, and starving. But as they move from one refuge to the next on the Underground Railroad, Samuel uncovers the secret of his own past–and future. And old Harrison begins to see past a whole lifetime of hurt to the promise of a new life–and a poignant reunion–in Canada. In a heartbreaking and hopeful first novel, Shelley Pearsall tells a suspenseful, emotionally charged story of freedom and family. Trouble Don’t Last includes a historical note and map.