Abducted as they are taking a dowry to his soon-to-be wife's parents, 18-year-old Atu and his father are sent by boat from Africa to Jamaica and sold to plantation owners. Separated by just a few miles on neighboring plantations, both men spend horrendous years in captivity, never knowing that the other is so near, and never able to get word to their family in Africa of their enslavement. The author's rich prose gives depth to this unforgettable short account of loss of freedom and family. Honor Book, 1992 CCBC Coretta Scott King Award Discussion: Writing. (Age 14 and older)