Stolen by Richard Bell
Rating = ****

The subtitle of the book is "Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their 
Astonishing Odyssey Home." In 1825 the importation of slaves was illegal, and there was 
a reverse underground railroad of black people kidnapped from the north and sold into 
slavery in the South. I sort of knew about that from "12 Years a Slave," but Dr. Bell 
brings it to life in this engaging story pieced together from historical letters, 
newspaper accounts, etc. The journey of the 5 boys from Philly to Mississippi and back 
is pieced together and superbly presented. The boys mostly vanish from the historical 
record a few years after their return home, so in a way, we don't get an ending.