$5.89 with 26 percent savings
List Price: $7.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Friday, May 17 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 16. Order within 20 hrs 24 mins
In Stock
$$5.89 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$5.89
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Elizabeth Yates
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Amos Fortune, Free Man (Newbery Library, Puffin) Paperback – Illustrated, May 1, 1989

by Elizabeth Yates (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 586 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$5.89","priceAmount":5.89,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"5","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"89","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"okaKmXhqrg%2FD0GNtEXZC5QLEFEXzI%2BL2Hv7l0kckuGMwVawPIK%2BHqgCPRlGcFoBqFhE%2BXkCSElps4X6mveTVZBd41i%2BTvvnvKzVnldiW3%2F6Oon8wllW5jp6UsCfCkkB5eOQgCr5mSGs%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A Newbery Medal Winner

When Amos Fortune was only fifteen years old, he was captured by slave traders and brought to Massachusetts, where he was sold at auction. Although his freedom had been taken, Amos never lost his dinity and courage. For 45 years, Amos worked as a slave and dreamed of freedom. And, at age 60, he finally began to see those dreams come true.

"The moving story of a life dedicated to the fight for freedom."—Booklist
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    10 - 12 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    192 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    1090L
  6. Dimensions
    5.13 x 0.51 x 7.69 inches
  7. Publisher
    Puffin Books
  8. Publication date
    May 1, 1989
  9. ISBN-10
    0140341587
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0140341584
  11. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Amos Fortune, Free Man (Newbery Library, Puffin)
$5.89
Get it as soon as Friday, May 17
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch: A Newbery Award Winner
$7.49
Get it as soon as Friday, May 17
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Number the Stars: A Newbery Award Winner
$6.95
Get it as soon as Friday, May 17
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Amos Fortune, Free Man

"The moving story of a life dedicated to the fight for freedom."—Booklist

About the Author

Elizabeth Yates (1905–2001), prolific American author, won the 1951 Newbery Medal for her novel Amos Fortune, Free Man. She also received a Newbery Honor in 1944 for Mountain Born.

Nora Unwin (1907–1982) illustrated more than one hundred books for children.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin Books; Reprint edition (May 1, 1989)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140341587
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140341584
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1090L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.13 x 0.51 x 7.69 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 586 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Elizabeth Yates

Elizabeth Yates

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
586 global ratings
An Inspirational Life
5 Stars
An Inspirational Life
The story of the life of Amos Fortune is inspiring. The son of a At-nun-shi king went from tribal life to living in America as a slave. He eventually earned his freedom and lived an extraordinary life.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Kehau Akiona
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
I had a hard time finding this book at our local library. My daughter needed it for her homeschool curriculum. I read it also and loved it. (I love historical fiction.) My daughter however (12yo) struggled getting through this one. I would definitely recommend if you love historical fiction! It is an easy read except for some native language which I think is what my daughter doesn’t really like.
Helpful
 Report
B. T. Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars American Academy: Essential Reading for Youth
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2004
Verified Purchase
This book is required reading for American Academy Middle School students, but is recommended for people, ages 12 and up, who are trying to understand early American life and the subject of slavery, particularly in the northern states.

"Amos Fortune" is a true story about a young African prince torn from his family, people, and homeland. He undergoes a process of dehumanization, including a horrific slave-ship sea crossing, before being sold as a slave into first one and then another Massachusetts family; so we see two complete portraits of slave life. After a while, he buys his own and his wife's freedom and travels to picturesque New Hampshire where he builds a homestead and a legacy for himself. In so doing perhaps he plants seeds that help bring an end to that "peculiar institution," slavery.

Beautifully told by Ms. Yates, we see Amos learn to read and become a faithful Christian. His childlike dream to buy his sister's freedom grows into a mature buying of the freedom of women he loves. He masters the tanning trade, which we learn about. We experience his strong and majestic character in overlooking a benighted age's slights and building his own freehold homestead, near "his" mountain, in this free country he loves. Amos Fortune is an outstanding man worthy of imitation. His story will never die or grow old.

All American young people should read this book. It, along with: "April Morning," by Howard Fast; "A Light in the Forest," by Conrad Richter; "First Lady of Faith and Courage: Abigail Adams," by Evelyn Witter; and "The Autobiography," by Benjamin Franklin; paint a multifaceted view of the particular pains, prejudices and daily life in northern colonial America from the perspective of, respectively, black citizens, traditional revolutionary families, American Indians, women, and a particular famous artisan-scientist-inventor-statesman whose life spanned and intertwined itself with the century of America's birth.
24 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Monica Wyles
5.0 out of 5 stars Amos Fortune is a extraordinary man of God. He is very religious.
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
A fifteen year old kidnapped African boy is brought to Massachusetts in America and sold
as a slave. He fortunately is owned by two different families who allow him to have an education and learn a trade as a tanner. Amos Fortune is taught the love of God by those families. His adventures as a slave and a free man are amazing. This man is an example of a faithful servant walking and trusting God. I enjoyed the story because Amos becomes a Christian and gets his freedom and lives for the Lord. He also cares about everyone. He rejoices in his freedom and is proud when he has saved enough money to buy Lily's, Lydia's, Violet's, Celyndia's, and Polly's freedom from their slavery. Even though Polly was destitute and poor she still wasn't free. I loved that he does not lean on his own understanding, and he waits for God to guide him. He overcomes his sadness and depression as he remembers the murder of his father and not knowing what happened to his little sister. He is a true man of God.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
J&K L
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
It was great for my kids to be able to see a close perspective of a slave. His faith was wonderfully lived throughout his lifetime. This was a great read aloud book so we could discuss.
Helpful
 Report
Bonnie E. Fisher
5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling story about a freed slave who made his ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
A compelling story about a freed slave who made his way north. It was the first Newbery Medal winner I encountered at age 10 when my fourth grade teacher read it aloud to our class. It's still a must read for elementary school students. Gripping, and informative about slavery in America, it began my personal journey, still going on today, to learn about and help to eradicate racism.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Simple Style
4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational story of freedom
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the writing in this book and enjoyed hearing the story of a young tribal prince's descent into captivity and his ascent to freedom, as well as what he did with his freedom. I purchased the book for middle schoolers, but felt the writing is better geared toward 3-4 graders.

The history was not "whitewashed," but the horrors of the middle passage and difficulties of life were handled subtly for sensitive children. Perhaps without further study, a student might conclude that life as a slave wasn't so bad, but with additional discussion about the realities of slave trade, it will be an excellent resource. The book mentioned once that he was beaten with a whip, and mentions a few times the scars left, but because of the story's emphasis is on his willfull path toward freedom, the book has an overall positive feel and outcome. It's focus is not the illumination of terrors, but the perseverance of the human soul to long for freedom.

It's a great book to read focusing on empowerment, discipline, and hard work in the worst of situations. I would not use it to drive the point home about slave trade.

I also liked that several legal documents are inset within the story, as they made for very good reading challenges.
45 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
My daughter teacher send this reading to my daughter on summer and it was a great book and very educative to the mind and the spirit !
Helpful
 Report
Happy 1st Time Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for my 7th grader
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
My son chose this book to complete a book report for his English class. He actually enjoyed the book and found it interesting. He actually enjoyed it so much, after he told his grandmother about it.... she purchased it and also said it was a good book.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Deirdre Logan
5.0 out of 5 stars A real hero.
Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
This novel is the incredibly inspiring account of Amos Fortune. I read it aloud to my son, and was moved by this man’s extraordinary life as much he was. We would all do well to be a bit more like this man - joyful in terrible trials, disciplined, hard-working, compassionate and generous. A true hero.
Report
Sihan Ma
5.0 out of 5 stars A nice fiction
Reviewed in Canada on March 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed reading the book myself. A touching story that teaches us to reflect and cherish what we have today.
One person found this helpful
 Report