The 'N' word, deep dialect, and other problems do exist, but as the author explains in an end-note, they're meant to support the authenticity of individual characters. Swift also explains to us that she's telling a story, and so this book isn't to be considered a history reference... however, she obviously did a lot of research to be as 'true' as possible. A bibliography is included.

I have no idea why it is difficult to find. It fully deserved its Newbery honor, imo. I found it exciting, leavened with small bits of humor and lots of heart. I'm giving it four stars, despite the fact that I'm really not a big fan of historical fiction.

Which reminds me - bear in mind as you think about this book that the Am. Civil War was only a couple of generations back, at the time this was written - the author may well have, at least in her childhood, known older people who remember the war.

In so far as to whether the book is unconsciously racist despite good intentions of the author - well, I'm not always sensitive or wise enough to pick up on that. I did notice, in this, that Swift speaks of the Northerners' complex attitudes. For example, she reminds us that some people thought that the slaves should be free, but still didn't feel that they were fully human.

I do recommend the book, even to casual readers, and especially to scholars.
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Summary: The story of Harriet Tubman by one who lived in the same town.