Two Sisters: A Story of Freedom

by Kereen Getten

 

In this heart-stopping adventure based on real historical events, Kereen Getten takes readers on a journey of sisterhood, struggle and survival from Jamaica to Britain. 'She was rarely afraid, and even if she was ... she still stood her ground, because Ruth never faltered in what she believed in.'

Ruth and Anna are inseparable. Ruth has always known her half-sister isn't like her - her almost-white skin means she is allowed certain things that Ruth can only dream of. Anna wishes she could be braver, like her sister, Ruth. But she has had to live with the fact that the smallest mistake would land not only her in danger, but Ruth and their mother, too.  

When Ruth and Anna are shipped off to Master John's home in London for their safety, it isn't the haven they imagined. Their differences force them apart – Anna is allowed to stay upstairs while Ruth is banished to the servants' quarters and is forced to work.

With whispers of freedom on the city's streets, will Anna find the courage to stand up for Ruth before it's too late?

A thrilling series showcasing some of the UK's finest writers for young people. Voices reflects the authentic, unsung stories of our past. Each shows that, even in times of great upheaval, a myriad of people have arrived on this island and made a home for themselves - from Roman times to the present day.  

PRAISE FOR TWO A STORY OF FREEDOM

"As well as highlighting the appalling treatment of slaves, this moving tale, based partially on real events, celebrates the bond between the sisters and the courage of those who help them. An excellent addition to the Voices series, which features stories about historical black and minority ethnic figures, whose contribution to Britain has often gone unrecognised." - BookTrust

"Extensively researched and providing an authentic portrayal of a time not frequently covered in children's literature, this book would be excellent to use alongside the teaching of history... This powerful and deeply affecting novel will provide young readers with a deeper insight into Black British History prior to Windrush and, just as this excellent series intends, give a voice to those who previously had none. - Just Imagine

"Two A Story of Freedom provides readers with a new point of view and the opportunity to develop empathy for those whom history often forgets. Thank you to Scholastic for this fascinating, powerful book." - Scope For Imagination

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2021

About the author

Kereen Getten grew up in Jamaica where she would climb fruit trees in the family garden and eat as much mango, guinep and pear as she could without being caught. She now lives in Birmingham with her family and writes stories about her childhood experiences. When Life Gives You Mangos is her debut novel.
Visit her on n Instagram @Kereengetten

Reviews

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shipped off to London in order to escape a vindictive plantation overseer, Ani and Esi (Ruth and Anna are their given names in order to not offend the white plantation owners) find themselves in a world which they hoped would be free from oppression and fear yet find themselves in a very different type of danger that threatens to pull them apart.

Half-sisters with the same mother but different fathers, Ruth is black and Anna is mixed race: her father is white, well-placed in society and good friends with Samuel Johnson. Unlike Ruth, she has lived a more privileged life yet with restrictions and humiliations Anna was not aware of until both girls leave their mother following Anna's father to his sister's home in England. There, they are housed with his sister, Edith and her daughter, Elizabeth. Furious at having any people of colour under her roof, Elizabeth does all she can to make the girls' lives hell and seeks to be rid of them the moment her brother's back is turned.

Getten is proving that she is excellent at depth of character and complexity too. This was a richly-woven cast of many but they each carry a little spark and the dual narrative approach helped build that strong sense of tension between the sisters: their segregation from the white community should bring them closer but instead it threatens to tear them apart. Very clever themes riding beneath the narrative here.

[Carol Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I am using it as a teaching text. The story concept is very good: two sisters, whose mother is a slave on a Jamaican plantation, one of them with a white father and who can 'pass' as white; the older sister had a black slave father who has been sold on elsewhere. So already we have the harsh reality of ownership and no choice. Thanks to a cruel overseer, the girls are sent to England, and met with discrimination and prejudice. Unfortunately, some of the plot is a little contrived, in my opinion. I know I'm not the target audience, and I hope my readers will enjoy it regardless. The nicer points are the introduction (albeit briefly) of real people: Samuel Johnson and his heir, Francis Barber; and the Fleet Street Tavern, where black people could meet freely and enjoy themselves without constraint.
Overall, it is well worth reading, and a fascinating insight into life of Jamican people brought to England in the C18th. Maybe a longer, more detailed look would have suited me better- but probably well beyond the remit of this useful series of books.

[The Library Mouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the story of two girls: Ruth & Anna. They are half sisters, for they have the same mother, a slave. They are from Jamaica. Ruth has darker skin to Anna, so she is very discriminated when both go to England to live with Anna's aunt. she becomes a object to marvel at, and a slave. Anna's father helps them at the beginning, but he can not do much when he is away from England. one day Anna's aunt makes an evil scheme to get rid of Ruth and put her on the net ship to another place, thankfully, Anna and some friends they made along the way save her.

[Maryam ღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super heart breaking book. It really was. Ruth, the dark skinned sister went through so much drama and chaos. I can never imagine going through what she had gone through. Anna, the lighted skin sister, couldn't at first speak up to the bullies and Ruth had to defend on her own. At the end of the book, Anna faced her fears and got what she want. A tale of two sisters, so upsetting. You don't really think how racist people can be, even small little children.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of two sisters, during the Georgian Era, their laughter, tears and shared trials.
A thought provoking read that was in turn heart breaking and heart warming.
I would recommend to everyone who enjoys historical fiction, based in fact.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a hard read.
But the book was interesting

[Ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely incredible book.