I was afraid this was going to be a disaster to modern sensibility, but it’s not! Yes, most of the white people are kind, “good,” helpful to Amos in a way that is not the experience of most enslaved/freed people in the 18th century and there is a definite feeling that Black people need to be civilized and educated by White people, but overall Amos and the book highly value freedom, both from slavery and as interior mastery. If this weren’t the story of a real, remarkable man (although I believe most of the details are imagined), it might not be worth the difficulties, but they are not so egregious that discussion can’t overcome them. I do recommend reading it before a child does so you’re prepared - why do all these supposedly anti-slavery White people fail to free him? Does an owner being kind to him mean it would be better to be property? Why is African culture something he needs to be taught to reject? This book is 70 years old and reflects it, but it is still a touching story of a man who overcomes all obstacles to build a life.