It is a meticulously researched, historically accurate, and artistically crafted portrayal of a grim time in our nation's past, brought to light through the personal history of two unforgettable characters. Set in the 1850s, Gary Paulsen's groundbreaking new novel is unlike anything else the award-winning author has written. And twelve-year-old Sarny is willing to take the risk to learn. Knowing that the penalty for reading is dismemberment Nightjohn still retumed to slavery to teach others how to read. He had escaped north to freedom, but he came back-came back to teach reading. Sarny, a female slave at the Waller plantation, first sees Nightjohn when he is brought there with a rope around his neck, his body covered in scars. 'I didn't know what letters was, not what they meant, but I thought it might be something I wanted to know. That's why they don't want us reading.' - Nightjohn We get to wanting and when we get to wanting it's bad for them. It is a meticulously researched, historically accurate, and artistically crafted portrayal of a grim time in our nation's past, brought to light through the personal history of two unforgettable characters.'To know things, for us to know things, is bad for them.

School Library Journal, Starred Among the most powerful of Paulsen’s works, this impeccable researched novel sheds light on cruel truths in American history as it traces the experiences of a 12-year-old slave girl in the 1850s. That's why they don't want us reading.' - Nightjohn Praise Nightjohn should be required reading (and discussing) for all middle grade and high school students.

'To know things, for us to know things, is bad for them.

Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen