Rebecca Bruff
"With this stunning debut novel, Rebecca Bruff establishes herself as an exciting new voice in historical fiction."
- Cassandra King Conroy
TROUBLE THE WATER
Deeply moving and illuminating, TROUBLE THE WATER reveals the little-known real-life story of Robert Smalls. Born enslaved before the Civil War, Smalls witnesses great privilege and immense suffering alongside his owner's daughter and the dangerous son of a firebrand secessionist.
At the age of twelve, he's sent to work in Charleston, where he loads ships and learns to pilot a cotton steamer. When the war erupts and his cotton steamer becomes a confederate warship, Robert attempts a harrowing escape to freedom for himself and the people he loves.
STARS of WONDER
Five brave and curious children follow a star, and discover more than they ever imagined: strength, trust, love, boldness, courage, and wonder… all the things kids need to know they possess in order to be resilient in this ever-changing world.
Beautifully illustrated, STARS OF WONDER will delight children and adults alike in this story of whimsy and wonder, curiosity and courage, and great love.
"Debut author Rebecca Bruff has made her mark with this exceptional examination of family, freedom, and what it really means to fight for the light."
Julie Cantrell
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of Perennials
Reviews for Trouble the Water
"Bruff gifts her readers a stunningly dramatic narrative. Gripping, heartrending and at last, inspirational. A testimony to hope through the darkest of times and a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit, not soon to be forgotten."
Jeffrey Blount
Award-winning author of
The Emancipation of Evan Walls
"I just finished reading Trouble the Water. It kept me turning the pages, one after another."
Robin Oliveira
New York Times bestselling author of
My Name is Mary Sutter