A New York Times Bestseller In 1857, Henry Shackleford is a young slave living in the Kansas Territory, a battleground between anti- and pro-slavery forces. When an argument between legendary abolitionist John Brown and Henry's master turns violent, Henry is forced to leave with Brown, who believes he's a girl. Over the ensuing months, Henry ? whom Brown nicknames "Onion" ? conceals his identity to stay alive, eventually finding himself at Harpers Ferry in 1859.