I never liked history class in school. But occasionally, I like to read historical fiction. I used to read books like this all the time. I now find historical fiction to be somewhat difficult to read, but I still like to keep a few in the rotation because, unlike in history class, I actually learn something. I always finish books like this and feel some sense of satisfaction that I know/understand more than I did when I started.

Someone Knows My Name (also published as The Book of Negroes) is about a girl, Aminita, who is stolen from her homeland in Africa at the age of 11 and sold into slavery. She is sold overseas to a plantation owner in the Colony of South Carolina.

Let me just tell you that the things that happen to this girl and what she witnesses from the time of her capture are horrifying. As she grows up, more and more tragedy is forced upon her. But Aminita continues to find the will to survive and continues to dream of one day being free.

This book is so well written. Obviously, due to the subject matter, this is not an easy book to read but thanks to exceptional storytelling you won't want to stop reading without finding out what happens to Aminita.

I highly recommend this book to those who like historical fiction.