CHARIOT on the MOUNTAIN by Jack Ford

Book Review by Jennifer Anderson

CHARIOT on the MOUNTAIN is a fictional story based on the real life of Kitty Payne.  She was a young, multiracial, freed slave woman who had to fight for her rights in American Court before the Civil War years.  The story goes through the in and outs of plantation and farm life of slaves in the early 1800's.  Kitty's own mother had been sold away from her when she was very small and so she was determined this would not happen to her own three little ones.  The story explains very well how people can be free but still kept from opportunity by the color of their skin.  The title, CHARIOT on the MOUNTAIN, is taken from a line in a  negro spiritual song. 

The story touches on the subjects of runaway slaves, freed slaves being kidnapped, and the organization called the Underground Rail Road that helped people escape from slavery.  The author, Jack Ford, came across Kitty's story at an old courthouse one day and decided to investigate and share her story.  Way before civil rights activists such as Rosa Parks, there was Kitty Payne. 

I had received this book as an advance reading copy via a giveaway on the Goodreads website.  I liked the story for it's fast pace.  I also liked the story for it's short chapters that served to keep the action and drama neatly contained in an easily managed format for quick comprehension of the subject matter. I enjoyed the book and I read it through in my spare moments in a 24 hour time period.  That means I actually stayed up late and got up early to read it.  I gave the story five stars on the Goodreads website and think that it would make a great movie. 

The book will be published this July 31st!