Kindred by Octavia Butler

Dana is a black woman celebrating her 26th birthday in 1976. She is suddenly transported back in time to the antebellum south around 1820. She finds herself rescuing a drowning white child named Rufus, who is the son of a plantation owner. Throughout the story Dana travels back and forth between current times where she is a modern, independent black woman, and the early 19th century where she is a slave. During the times she is back in the slave era, she still retains her knowledge and experience as a modern day woman and knows what historical events lie ahead. Her ongoing connection to Rufus is confusing to her, until she learns that her very existence depends on her ability to protect him. It sounds confusing, but the author writes so well that it is easy to follow and makes for a very interesting story.
Reviewed by Mrs. Dunaski