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simsbrarian's review
5.0
This story follows Jeb and Mattie; siblings who are about to attempt to flee slavery in Maryland and use the network of good people and hiding places known as the Underground Railroad to make their way north to where their older brother Ben is supposed to be living in Massachusetts. The illustrations fit the tone and the text reads/looks nearly like a poem. The tension of why the two need to leave is there and not avoided. Each short section is from the point of view of a different character (with Jeb and Mattie being repeated most often but small parts being detailed by others helping (or hunting!) the two). Historical notes, references, and books for kids to read further are listed at the back. The inside covers have a nice map of the journey.
Anything you didn’t like about it? The pages from the Point of View of the wife of the slave owner was a strange addition but serves to highlight a few slight variations on thoughts/behaviors of those supporting the institution of slavery. Otherwise, I was really impressed by the combination of text and illustrations that keep the tension but aren't gory or too much for young eyes who may be using this book as their first introduction to the topic.
To whom would you recommend this book? (Read-alikes if you can think of them) Good for an introduction to the concept of the Underground Railroad and also for the historical notes at the end which diverge from most books glorifying the white saviors to shine more light on what recent research increasingly reveals to have been a large influence of free blacks and other escaped slaves.
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Anything you didn’t like about it? The pages from the Point of View of the wife of the slave owner was a strange addition but serves to highlight a few slight variations on thoughts/behaviors of those supporting the institution of slavery. Otherwise, I was really impressed by the combination of text and illustrations that keep the tension but aren't gory or too much for young eyes who may be using this book as their first introduction to the topic.
To whom would you recommend this book? (Read-alikes if you can think of them) Good for an introduction to the concept of the Underground Railroad and also for the historical notes at the end which diverge from most books glorifying the white saviors to shine more light on what recent research increasingly reveals to have been a large influence of free blacks and other escaped slaves.
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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