Product Description

Born into slavery in 1831 on Retreat Plantation, St. Simons Island, Neptune became the childhood friend and servant of plantation heir Henry Lord King. Their devoted friendship, which finally evolved into a shared struggle to survive on the Civil War battlefields, is an inspiring example of how two men from completely different backgrounds can stand united as brothers in times of sacrifice and tragedy. This historical account of courage, honor, compassion and loyalty accurately chronicles family records of the man they called Neptune.

Award winning author Pamela Bauer Mueller has dreamed of introducing her readers to the history of Georgia’s Golden Isles ever since she became a resident of coastal Georgia. In Neptune’s Honor, she offers the unforgettable story of a noble servant named Neptune Small.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1249340 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 189 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up–This novel, based on a real person living near the south Georgia Sea Islands, begins in 1837 and ends after the Civil War. As a child slave, Neptune Small was a helpmate and companion to the plantation family's oldest son, Henry Lord Page King. Just five months apart in age, they were inseparable throughout the boys' youth. As he comes of age, Neptune marries and begins a family. He accompanies Lordy when he enlists during the Civil War, and later brings his body home. At war's end, Neptune becomes a free man but chooses to remain with the King family. The story builds steadily until the beginning of the Civil War after which it shows how the war changed the plantation culture in the South. It is readable, but the plot is not consistently strong. The focus is on what happens in the plantation house and on Neptune's relationship with the Kings; there is relatively little about his own family and their daily life. However, the most serious problem is the strong dialect used by the slave characters. It would present some reading challenges to modern children. More importantly, it revisits stereotypes about slaves and conveys a message that they were not able to use standard southern English. In addition, this story about a trusted house slave who was well treated shields children from the cruel reality of slavery for many African Americans.–Jane G. Connor, South Carolina State Library, Columbia

Review
"It has wonderful appeal for those interested in local (Georgia) history as well as the antebellum and Civil War period." -- Lynne Thomas, Jekyll’s Golden Islander, December 2, 2004, Volume 33, number 24.

"Pamela’s moving writing style, influenced by historical fiction exemplar, Eugenia Price, is accurate in fact and alive with details." -- Jeff Hoffman, Golden Isles Weekend, Nov. 24-Dec. 9, 2004 Issue 370

"This beautiful story of devoted friendship, based on the history of this area, appeals to readers of all ages." -- Cary Knapp, Georgia’s Coastal Illustrated, Dec. 8, 2004 Volume XXX, Issue 883

An entrancing, well written and very moving read. Shows a side of slave population not often found. -- Aline de Chevigny, In the Library Reviews, March 2005

From the Publisher
Piñata Publishing is pleased to announce that Pamela Bauer Mueller and Neptune's Honor were selected as the winner in the 42nd Annual Georgia Author of the Year Children's/Young Adult Independently Published division. Neptune's Honor was also selected as a finalist for an "IPPY" in the Independent Publisher's Group Children's Multicultural category.

Customer Reviews

Neptune's Honor
This beautiful story of devoted friendship, based on the history of coastal Georgia, is a reading treasure for both adults and children. Ms. Bauer Mueller has enlivened dialogue by including original Gullah-Geechee "black-speak" dialect, as well as rhythmic slave spirituals and work songs. There is a wealth of learning material here to promote discussion and unique essay projects. Slavery is handled in a tender yet realistic manner, opening a new door of understanding the struggles of our African American ancestors.

Cary Knapp
Librarian
Brunswick, Georgia

Neptune's Honor
Neptune's Honor is a book that is a must read. This story gives the reader a bird's eye view of how slavery was practiced in many areas of the south rather than the stereotypical master/slave relationship which is current popular belief. Although the practice of slavery is not ethical, it is a factual part of the history of this country. The founding fathers owned slaves and many raised slaves to positions of trust & honor within their households. Slavery was as appropriate for those times as was a lack of women's rights. We can't change history but we must know all of the facts of history in order to understand who we are today. Neptunes' Honor affords us that opportunity since it is based on factual research. This book, based on actual documents of Neptune Small & his family, is a learning tool in the form of interesting reading. The art of "slave-speak" was a common method of communication among the slaves & workers on the plantations because of the multicultural environments in which the slaves lived. It afforded them a sense of privacy and control. Living in the south, where slave labor was common during colonial times, there are still remnants of that sub-language. Ms. Mueller has done an outstanding job in her efforts to convey how life was on a specific plantation without encouraging us to think that slavery was acceptable to everyone. It was simply a part of history as it was lived. Her inclusion of characters who depicted the degrading side of the slave issue lets us remember how poorly some slaves were treated. Neptune's Honor brings all of that to us now in such a way as to show the horror of slavery as well as a glimpse of those individuals of color who rose above being slaves in their own right. Just as the uncaring slave owners & traders treated humans as beasts of burden, this book recalls the memoirs of a man who rose above slavery. He allowed love, loyalty and friendship to govern the character of his life.Neptune's Honor is a book I have felt good about reading. Bravo to Ms. Mueller for taking on such a project and giving us such enjoyment.
Evelyn M. Kennedy,
Register, Ga.

Wonderful!
Neptune's Honor is a story for everyone. It is a touching story, filled with delightful anectodes of a slave and his master, more like brothers, growing up together and sharing their lives and dreams during some difficult historical times. It is a story about brotherly love, undying devotion, and family ties that in some instances are thicker than blood. It will make you smile, laugh, cry and be melancholy all at the same time. To be enjoyed by young and old.