My Trelawney — Jacqueline Grant

Her name is Antonia but no one ever calls her that â€" she has always been Tonia. Tonia lives at the Jamaican Sugar Plantation called Trelawney and she and her Mama work for Mistress Charlene. Mistress Charlene is not their boss she is their owner. Tonia and Mama and all the other Africans or people of African descent at Trelawney are enslaved. In My Trelawney: Tonia's Story Tonia writes about her life in 17th century Jamaica. While Mistress Charlene tries to be kind to them, their lives are made hell by Mistress Charlene's nephew, Master William. Knowing that Master William will inherit the plantation when his aunt dies, and then become their owner, Tonia must do something to protect herself and Mama. When Maggie â€" the daughter of the new English minister â€" arrives at Trelawney the two girls come up with a daring plan. This is how they end up as buccaneers sailing to Panama with Henry Morgan's wild crew of pirates. In the process they uncover Trelawney's secrets and the reason Master William hates Tonia and her Mama. Tonia and Maggie learn about fear and heartache, but they also learn that no matter how bad the situation may seem, there is always hope if they don't give up. Readers of My Trelawney will learn about many important Caribbean themes such as: buccaneers, maroons, plantation life, burial ceremonies, and much, much more.