{"product_id":"the-secrets-of-mary-bowser-a-novel-isbn-9780062107022","title":"The Secrets of Mary Bowser: A Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003e“Masterfully written, \u003cem\u003eThe Secrets of Mary Bowser\u003c\/em\u003e shines a new light onto our country’s darkest history.”\u003cbr\u003e—Brunonia Barry, bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Lace Reader \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Packed with drama, intrigue, love, loss, and most of all, the resilience of a remarkable heroine….What a treat!”\u003cbr\u003e—Kelly O'Connor McNees, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on the remarkable true story of a freed African American slave who returned to Virginia at the onset of the Civil War to spy on the Confederates, \u003cem\u003eThe Secrets of Mary Bowser\u003c\/em\u003e is a masterful debut by an exciting new novelist. Author Lois Leveen combines fascinating facts and ingenious speculation to craft a historical novel that will enthrall readers of women’s fiction, historical fiction, and acclaimed works like \u003cem\u003eCane River\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCold Mountain\u003c\/em\u003e that offer intimate looks at the twin nightmares of slavery and Civil War. A powerful and unforgettable story of a woman who risked her own freedom to bring freedom to millions of others, \u003cem\u003eThe Secrets of Mary Bowser\u003c\/em\u003e celebrates the courageous achievements of a little known but truly inspirational American heroine. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003eBased on a remarkable true story, \u003cem\u003eThe Secrets of Mary Bowser\u003c\/em\u003e is an inspiring tale of one daring woman's willingness to sacrifice her own freedom to change the course of history\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll her life, Mary has been a slave to the wealthy Van Lew family of Richmond, Virginia. But when Bet, the willful Van Lew daughter, decides to send Mary to Philadelphia to be educated, she must leave her family to seize her freedom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLife in the North brings new friendships, a courtship, and a far different education than Mary ever expected, one that leads her into the heart of the abolition movement. With the nation edging toward war, she defies Virginia law by returning to Richmond to care for her ailing father—and to fight for emancipation. Posing as a slave in the Confederate White House in order to spy on President Jefferson Davis, Mary deceives even those who are closest to her to aid the Union command.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJust when it seems that all her courageous gambles to end slavery will pay off, Mary discovers that everything comes at a cost—even freedom.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“Masterfully written, \u003ci\u003eThe Secrets of Mary Bowser\u003c\/i\u003e shines a new light onto our country’s darkest history. Balancing fire and grace, the story of Mary Bowser is an ethical journey we won’t soon forget, one that takes us from hatred to courage to love.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBrunonia Barry, bestselling author of The Lace Reader and The Map of True Places\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Secrets of Mary Bowser\u003c\/i\u003e is a good old-fashioned historical novel packed with drama, intrigue, love, loss, and most of all, the resilience of a remarkable heroine who forges her own destiny from the first page. What a treat!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e-Kelly O'Connor McNees, author of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Lois Leveen has written a captivating novel...[she] demonstrates considerable skill bringing the historical period to life. Mary’s world is nuanced and complicated, but the reader is thoroughly drawn into it, never lost. The narrative voice carries with it a seamless authority, rare in novels of this type.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eOregonian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Deftly integrating historical research into this gripping tale of adventure, love, and national conflict, Leveen brings Mary to life and evenhandedly reveals the humanity on both sides of America’s deadliest war.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Secrets of Mary Bowser\u003c\/i\u003e is not only fascinating reading, but also historical fiction of the highest caliber.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSeattle Post-Intelligencer\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Author Lois Leveen’s meticulously researched historical fiction is best consumed with sweet tea and a porch swing.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDailyCandy.com\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Deftly balancing history, romance and adventure, Leveen honors the life and historical importance of a brave, resourceful woman.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This novel will sweep you into the world of Mary Bowser without making you feel as if you’re sitting in school instead of on the beach.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStatesman Journal (Oregon)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Told with clarity, confidence, and courage, \u003ci\u003eThe Secrets of Mary Bowser\u003c\/i\u003e illuminates an untold and important story about slavery, the Civil War, and the role of women in achieving emancipation. A riveting and powerful book.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNaseem Rakha, internationally bestselling author of The Crying Tree\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"William Morrow Large Print","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888068325605,"sku":"NP9780062107022","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062107022.jpg?v=1730228077","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-secrets-of-mary-bowser-a-novel-isbn-9780062107022","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}