Amina

Luqman-Dawson

Coretta Scott King & Newbery Medalist

Historical Fiction Novelist

Travels from: Arlington, VA

“With both stirring emotion and apparently effortless skill, Dawson braids the many compelling strands of this story into a stunning conclusion. A remarkable accomplishment—a sheer triumph of a book.” — Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestselling author

Amina Luqman-Dawson loves using writing to tell stories and to build an understanding of race, culture and community. Her published writing includes op-eds in newspapers, magazine articles, travel writing and book reviews. She’s authored the pictorial history book Images of America: African Americans of Petersburg (Arcadia Publishing). She has a BA in Political Science from Vassar College and a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley. Freewater (Little Brown) is her debut novel. The novel is a New York Times Bestseller and has received critical acclaim, including the John Newberry Medal and the Corvette School King Award. Amina is the proud mother of a 14-year-old son.

Amina's Featured Titles

Freewater

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |

February 1, 2022

Middle Grade Historical Fiction

Winner of the John Newbery Medal
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award
An Indiebound Bestseller

Award-winning author Amina Luqman-Dawson pens a lyrical, accessible historical middle-grade novel about two enslaved children’s escape from a plantation and the many ways they find freedom.

Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, unwillingly leaving their beloved mother behind. Much as he adores her and fears for her life, Homer knows there’s no turning back, not with the overseer on their trail. Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the swamp.

In this society created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children, Homer finds new friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home.

Deeply inspiring and loosely based on the history of maroon communities in the South, this is a striking tale of survival, adventure, friendship, and courage.

BIPOC Representation, Black Voices, Civil Discourse & Social Justice, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade

African Americans of Petersburg

Arcadia Publishing Library Editions |

January 14, 2009

Historical Nonfiction

The city of Petersburg has distinguished itself as a special place for African American history. African Americans in Petersburg have overcome racial and political obstacles placed in their paths. The city was the site of one of the largest free black populations in the South leading up to the Civil War, and more black soldiers participated in the Siege of Petersburg than in any other Civil War engagement. The city is the location of First Baptist Church, the nation’s oldest black church; has produced trailblazers in political life, including Virginia’s first black mayor; and is the site of the famous Halifax Triangle, a thriving black business district. This diverse and poignant collection of photographs reveals a heritage rich in entrepreneurial spirit, devotion to church life, and unshakable courage in the struggle for civil rights.

BIPOC Representation, Black Voices, Civil Discourse & Social Justice, Friendship & Community, History & Biography, Nonfiction

Travel Through Time: Using fiction to connect with hard history

How fiction elicits greater understanding, empathy and connection with hard history. Open a reader’s eyes and heart to a world of experiences. Placing FREEWATER on the landscape of what’s possible in changing the way we relate to the nation’s history of enslavement.

The Path to FREEWATER: A writer’s journey from idea to Newbery

The journey to publication for a debut novel is always filled with twists and turns, FREEWATER is no exception. A journey writing a novel while carrying on with life. How to get unstuck while writing. Finding support and advocates.

Talking History in the Age of Book Banning

Why history matters in a book banning climate. Book banning threatens to styme discussion of truthful history, particularly the African American experience. From Virginia to Florida, history is under siege. Why it matters and a path forward?

Teaching FREEWATER: Teacher Workshop

Let’s discuss the historical context, themes, literary techniques, character development and relationships presented in FREEWATER. Identify and examine specific scenes for class discussion. Review and revise a discussion guide for students. Best if participants have read FREEWATER prior to workshop.
Audience: Teachers, 5^th – 12^th

Teacher Q & A: Everything FREEWATER

Are you about to engage students on FREEWATER? Put questions to the author about the book themes, scenes, characters, the writing process and more.

Book Club Discussions

Invite Amina Luqman-Dawson to your book club event. Chat about characters and scenes. Hear the backstory on how particular characters, scenes and plot twists were created. Hear the success and challenges during the writing process.

“Amina is a thoughtful and entertaining speaker and a delightful human being. I enjoyed spending time with her and showing her around Des Moines. Her presentation with Abena, our moderator, was outstanding. I hope many more people get the chance to interact with her and meet her.” — Des Moines Public Library, 2025

“Amina’a enthusiasm and humor are just delightful. She is an accomplished communicator. A wonderful highlight was her engagement with the children in the audience. About half a dozen got in line to ask questions about the book and about writing. Amina listened intently and gave very specific, thoughtful answers. If I were one of those children, I would always remember her personal, encouraging response.” — Crooked Steeple Literary Festival, 2025

“It was such a delight to interact with Amina and hear her engaging keynote. I am so glad that I chose her as one of the speakers for this groundbreaking event!” — Dr. Jonda C. McNair, Charlotte S. Huck Endowed Professor of Children’s Literature, Ohio State University, 2024

“We found Amina Luqman-Dawson to be an inspiring present for our community. Just like her story Freewater, she drew the audience in and they wanted to learn more…about her, her story and her process of writing. It was a magical evening.” — Calvert Library, 2024

“We LOVED hosting Amina. She came prepared and gave a wonderful, engaging talk to our audience. Amina gave meaningful attention to all who spoke with her and had genuine connections with our young authors.” — Loudon County Public Library, 2024

“In Freewater, Amina Luqman Dawson shines a bright light on a little-known piece of history. Set against a forbidding landscape, the bright promise of freedom is illuminated in all its myriad shapes and forms. And it couldn’t be more timely. Solidly researched and beautifully written, this is storytelling at its finest. Dawson’s voice and the voices of her cast will linger long after the last page is closed.” — Kathi Appelt, National Book Award Finalist and Newbery Honor Winner

“A compelling, gripping story told in an imaginative and lyrical way, Freewater is a moving, powerful homage to the men, women, and children who rejected slavery and dared invent a free life in the American wilderness.” — Dr. Sylviane A. Diouf, author of Slavery’s Exiles: The Story of the American Maroons

“What a gorgeously told, thrilling, and deeply empowering story. Amina brings to life so vividly this important but overlooked chapter in history, in a way that all readers can relate to — and through the eyes of young characters so compelling you’ll miss them when you put the book down. Not that you’ll want to put it down, even for a second.” — Meena Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“With both stirring emotion and apparently effortless skill, Dawson braids the many compelling strands of this story into a stunning conclusion. A remarkable accomplishment—a sheer triumph of a book.” — Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestselling author

“It’s was an A+ event! What an incredible experience!” — Camee Beyers, 7th Grade English/Language Arts Teacher

“This is detailed and well-researched historical fiction. The characters are varied, complex, and fully realized. . . .The page-turning action will engage readers as the story reaches a satisfying conclusion. An exceptional addition to the resistance stories of enslaved people.” — Kirkus, starred review

“Skillfully drawing memorable characters and moving them towards an exciting, heartfelt resolution, Luqman-Dawson does not shy away from the realities of slavery. This lyrical story of hope, strength, and ingenuity will be gobbled up by young history buffs and adventure lovers. Direct your Christopher Paul Curtis and Avi fans this way.” — Booklist, starred review

“When the town’s inhabitants undertake a liberation effort, the characters must build courage and overcome their fears in this vividly written, wholly accessible novel of enslavement and resistance.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“An engrossing, multi-perspective debut novel…[with] an explosive and cathartic conclusion.” — Horn Book, starred review

“A well-written book that explores a relatively unknown piece of history….Filled with both hope and joy, it explores the families we are born into as well as the families we create.” — School Library Connection, starred review

“Journalist and historian Amina Luqman-Dawson’s debut middle grade novel, Freewater, is historical fiction at its finest… A gripping, emotional story. Its short chapters and expert pacing seize the reader’s attention, and its young freedom-seeking protagonists are instantly engaging.” — Bookpage

Fun Facts + More About Amina