Uncle Tom's Granddaughter by Kaylon Bruner-Tran is a historical novel that connects today’s world to the legacy of Uncle Tom's Cabin. College student Jessie Dalton is assigned a history project and becomes interested in Thomasina, a woman linked to her family. Jessie’s grandmother, Olivia, says that Thomasina, or Nanny, as she called her, was the woman who cared for her as a child. She says that her Nanny claimed to be the granddaughter of Uncle Tom from Harriet Beecher Stowe's book. Olivia tells her granddaughter about a journal she believes is Thomasina’s, which she has somewhere. Once it is found, the story moves between the present and the nineteenth century as the pair explores Thomasina's memories. Readers meet Stowe herself, Uncle Tom, his wife, Chloe, and several others associated with them, like Joe and Grace, whose lives are shaped by slavery, faith, loss, and hope. As generations become connected in unexpected ways, Jessie begins uncovering answers about Thomasina's past and the people whose stories have been passed down through the years. What truths does the journal reveal?

Kaylon Bruner-Tran's Uncle Tom's Granddaughter was a real page-turner. The title caught my attention right away. Once I started reading, I easily became caught up in the characters and their journeys. Although there were plenty of struggles, I appreciated seeing the people overcome them. As a history and equal rights lover, I’m glad Harriet Beecher Stowe had a role in the novel. The writing kept me engaged from beginning to end. Plus, there was a twist I didn’t see coming. I also enjoyed the snippets of love stories woven throughout. One of those couples was Joe and Grace, whom I really hoped would find happiness together. Anyone who likes historical fiction that spans generations, has great characters, and real-life figures will want to get a copy of this book. This is a rewarding read that stayed with me long after I finished it.

Author Kaylon Bruner Tran uses Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe as a touchstone for her book, Uncle Tom's Granddaughter. In this historical fiction tale, Stowe is featured as a character who researches an enslaved man, his family, and plantation owners. Most people call him “Uncle Tom”. The abolitionist is writing articles to persuade readers of the inhumanity of slavery. The book follows two timelines simultaneously. Jessie, for a school assignment, chose to read Uncle Tom’s Cabin after she learned that her grandmother’s nanny, Thomasina, was Tom’s granddaughter. The present-day timeline is set near Nashville, Tennessee. Olivia, Jessie’s grandmother, reads Thomasina’s journal to her, since it is written in cursive, which her granddaughter is unable to decipher. This epic saga alternates between present-day Nashville and the active slave trade throughout some states during the 1850s. As the story begins, Uncle Tom and his family are living and working on the Ratcliff plantation in Kentucky. Uncle Tom’s journey is followed to the end of his road, as well as several other enslaved people who were bought, sold, tortured, and sometimes killed. Meanwhile, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s life runs parallel to Tom and his family’s.

Kaylon Bruner Tran thoroughly read and researched Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe when writing Uncle Tom's Granddaughter. This incredibly epic tale is not a reimagining of Uncle Tom's Cabin, but rather a deep dive into the culture of both enslaved people and slave owners. The smart writing hooked me and then took me along for a ride with an often brutal view of white slave owners in America. Using Stowe’s story as a catalyst for historical reference, I was most impressed by this author’s ability to evoke empathy through her powerful writing. With detailed accounts of the violent abuse that was endured, which sometimes led to escape attempts, this historical fiction story seemed very real to me. Like Roots, parts of Uncle Tom’s Granddaughter may disturb you. But in the end, it’s part of America’s history that is worth learning, especially in this, our 250th year. Even though there are many characters to follow, there is also a glossary of names to help keep their stories straight.