Homer is Freewater’s 12-year-old protagonist, whose chapters are written in the first person. He is responsible and driven by love for his family and friends, developing the theme of Familial Impact on Enslavement and Freedom. During his family’s first escape attempt from the Crumbs’ Southerland plantation, he didn’t want to leave without his friend Anna. Mama (Rose) is caught while trying to retrieve Anna, and a guilt-ridden Homer vows to save her. While he appreciates the safe haven of Freewater, accepting its residents as his new family, he doesn’t feel at home without his mother. He does his part to help the community and eventually leads a rescue mission. With his sister Ada and friends, Homer guides Mama and other enslaved people to Freewater. In a particularly telling moment, he convinces Turner (Two Shoes), another former resident of Southerland, to return with his friends and enjoy freedom with what’s left of his family.

Ada is Homer’s seven-year-old sister, implied to be the daughter of Mr. Crumb and with whom Homer escapes Southerland plantation. She is imaginative, not yet knowing the limits of what’s possible, and thus believes in