The Underground Railroad  by Colsom Whitehead

This award winning book for adults will resonate with young-adults as well as it portrays slavery from the viewpoint of those directly enslaved and those enslaved by their narrow-mindedness and ignorance.  The rich cast of characters includes those enslaved, those who think they won them, those who try to catch the run-aways and those who try to help them, be they conductors on the railroad or sympathizers.   A powerful look at man's inhumanity to man as well as the human spirit that cannot be defeated.