The Good Lord Bird, written by James McBride is set in the 1850’s-1860’s as the issue of slavery continues to thrive within the free and slave states. The book is based upon a crossdressing slave formerly known as Henry Shackelford, now Henriette Shackelford. He was kidnapped by the determined John Brown and was assumed to be a girl, after John Brown killed Henry’s father and took him in as his own. Now Henriette, received the nickname “the onion” as she was a sign of luck to John Brown. As John Brown tries to abolish slavery, and fights numerous battles in the south, “the onion” is passed all over and must learn how to now act as a proper colored girl. This story doesn’t take place in one specific setting, as John Brown’s followers are constantly
