Barbara Smucker (1915–2003)

This book has been a favorite of mine since almost before I can remember! I think Mom introduced me to it when I was in my first few years of school, and I’ve read it several times since then. Most recently, I realized my next-younger sister had never heard it, so we had it as our bedtime story for a month or so.

Although this is a runaway slave story, it is very gentle in its descriptions. Several times, you hear that things happen—but the way they’re told of is suitable even for 6- show more and 7-year-olds. I was quite impressed rereading it this time around—it’s been well over ten years since I last read the story, but it’s still as gripping now as it was then, and I still found myself rooting for the characters the same way! What makes it even better is knowing that this is based on true stories, not just made up. Probably my most favorite “escape to freedom” story ever, I’d highly recommend you pick this up if you haven’t had a chance to yet. show less

As the great-granddaughter of Mennonites who immigrated from the region that was mention in the book, I found it particularly insightful to a way of life and an area that I have only some things about. While I never can imagine going through the horror that these Mennonite families in the southern Ukraine went through, the book brings insights into a world that I have only heard about. While I haven't read the book for a number of years, I still recall finding enjoyment in reading about the show more events surrounding the years of the Russian Revolution and the Mennonites that fled for Canada in the 1920s. show less

The first time I read this book was around 1998 I guess, when I was in grade 5-ish? I don't really remember. I remember liking this book though, and it's still pretty good. I'm glad it's being taught in schools. It's nice that the main character is a young black girl and that she gets to tell her own story. Though I know that there were lots of white folks helping along the underground railroad, and that Barbara Smucker did include some black people who also risked their lives to help slaves show more escape, only two white people were bio'd at the end of the book. Presumably this is because the two characters based on real people were white dudes, but I don't think it would have been hard to find some real black people to base some characters on too. show less

Julilly knows of no life but slavery, and she is pretty happy until she sold, and ripped from her mother, crammed into a wagon, and transported South, where she is treated terribly. When the chance comes to escape, she and her friend Liza are ready to risk everything for freedom in the far North.
This is a short little story, full of action and breathless tension, and the girls go from one stage of the Underground Railroad to the next. I think it is a good introduction to the effects of show more slavery and to the courage of those so unfairly forced to earn their freedom by making the fearful journey to free country. Real historical characters are brought alive, and there are interesting historical notes ta the back, this story might be a jumping off point to individual research into the Underground Railroad.
I'd give this to readers interested in historical fiction, slavery, or the role Canada played in North America during the time of slavery. show less