The Good Lord Bird

by James McBride · 2013

In the turbulent Kansas Territory of 1857, young Henry Shackleford is thrust into the violent clash between abolitionists and pro‑slavery forces. When the fiery John Brown arrives, a confrontation with Henry’s master forces the boy to flee—only to be taken under Brown’s wing under the mistaken belief that he is a girl. Assuming the name Little Onion, Henry must conceal his true identity while navigating a world of guerrilla warfare, daring escapes, and the raw, chaotic energy of a nation on the brink of war. As the stakes rise, he finds himself at the heart of Brown’s infamous 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, a flashpoint that ignites the Civil War. Through humor, heartbreak, and relentless adventure, James McBride paints a vivid portrait of a young slave’s fight for survival and freedom in a country torn apart by its own conscience.