Kofi was 12 seasons old in 1788 when his father, a royal man within the Ashanti Kingdom, was betrayed by a trusted slave. The boy's subsequent bondage followed several captures and escapes, each expertly unfolded through a first-person narrative, carefully developed action and colorful historical details. Moving from West Africa to New England and back in 1811, Kofi's story addresses the involvement of Africans in the slave trade, indentured servants, cultural differences and the incongruity of Christian doctrine. Hansen based her fast-paced novel on "The Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African," and of what is known about the real Captain Paul Cuffe. Showing valuable glimpses of the rich cultural past brought by African captives to North America, The Captive offers unique depictions of late 18th century life in West Africa and in Massachusetts. (Ages 11-16)