During the California gold rush era, Sophie, a Jewish girl, and Rosabel, an African American girl, conspire to save the life of Rosabel's mother, a runaway slave captured by a slave catcher. The girls realize they must have money to redeem her, and armed only with daring and determination, they find enough gold to buy the freedom of Rosabel's mother and many other slaves. A lively narrative and powerful images bring this heartwarming story of love, bravery, and friendship to life, and offer readers a little-known slice of California cultural and ethnic history. The Legend of Freedom Hill is an Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Children's Book of Jewish Content and a Storytelling World Honor Book.