Mercy, A

1680's America is revealed to readers when a young black girl, Florens, is given to a trader as part payment for a debt. As Florens searches for love and acceptance, readers hear many voices attesting to a time of slavery, oppression, prejudice, and religious strife. The novel accurately portrays 17th Century America and the experiences of Native Americans, indentured workers, women and slaves. It will serve to broaden students' perspectives on this time period and the dominance that occurred. The text is rich enough to provide a forum for critical analysis and personal response. Although the narrative style would be difficult for students and may lead to less engagement, the setting of the story provides cross-curricular opportunities, especially with Social Studies.

This book would work well as an independent novel choice.

Social Considerations:
Set in 17th Century America this novel entails dominion over Native Americans, indentured workers, women and slaves and as such, there are expected instances of violence. However, these instances are free from gratuitous violence and serve to enlighten readers about this time period.

Toni Morrison is a Nobel prize winning American author, editor and professor. She won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the Novel Prize for Literature in 1993.