What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

Slave Doctor
This topic is about Slave Doctor
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SOLVED: Adult Fiction > SOLVED. YA Historical Fiction: White orphan boy gets a job to help take care of slaves on a slave ship from America headed to Africa, possibly as doctor's assistant (helped him home after drinking too much at a bar?). Branding. Read 2004-2010. Spoilers.

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message 1: by Brittany (new)

Brittany | 14 comments Forgive me I read this book a long time ago in either middle or high school. So 2004-2010.

An orphan somehow comes under the care of a doctor. I think the boy may have helped the doctor home after a trip to the bar. The doctor is old and may have a drinking problem.

The doctor gets a job aboard a slave ship to help take care of the slaves.

The boy gets branded by an enslaved man who is attempting to escape. The man is captured, and the boy is told/forced to brand the enslaved man in the face.

On the ship, some of the enslaved people are brought to the top deck. When they see large pots, they begin shouting in fear. A shiphand explains to the boy that they are stupid and superstitious and think we are going to cook and eat them.

A pregnant enslaved woman goes into labor. The doctor is passed out. The boy tries to deliver the baby. Sadly both mother and child pass.
There is a line about the woman screaming and the blood under his fingernails. The boy is later disgusted by everyone's lack of empathy towards the woman and child.

The enslaved people take over the ship with the boy's help but I don't remember what happens next.

Thanks.


message 2: by Kris (new)

Kris | 55141 comments Mod
Brittany, is this book written for teens or adults?

Where is the orphan boy living at the start of the book (location/ country)? Where is the ship traveling from and to?

I copied a few details to the topic header. Feel free to edit it.


message 3: by Brittany (new)

Brittany | 14 comments I got the book in my middle/high school library. So, I'll say teens.

From America to Africa, I believe. (Sorry, that's kind of vague.)


message 4: by Len (new)

Len | 145 comments Could it be The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox - although this was written in the 1970s?


message 5: by Brittany (new)

Brittany | 14 comments Thank you guys!
As I was looking into the Slave Dancer, I found the book Slave Doctor by Miep Diekmann. I have no idea how this book would have gotten into a high school library. It doesn't look like it was super popular. I am going to change it SOLVED!


message 6: by Kris (last edited Sep 26, 2024 08:12AM) (new)

Kris | 55141 comments Mod
Great! Glad you found your book, Brittany. Thanks for the update.

Slave Doctor by Miep Diekmann


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