Shane Evans uses short, simple sentences to tell a basic story of slaves escaping to freedom. Yet again, he has found a way to communicate complex topics to little readers. The rear information page proivdes a great supplement for adults who want to branch off into larger discussions after reading. ( )

"Powerfully expressive imagery will sweep young viewers into this suspenseful journey along the Underground Railroad. Accompanied by a commentary of, usually, just two or three words per spread, the scenes track a small group of escapees stealing through darkness beneath a thin crescent moon. They are seen running, crawling, resting tensely, taking brief shelter with “new friends,” then wearily keeping on until sunrise at last brings them to their goal: “I am free. He is free. She is free. We are free.” Underscoring the sense of fear and urgency with broad, slanted strokes of thinly applied paint, Evans limns his hunched, indistinct figures in dark lines and adds weight with scribbled fill and jagged bits of paper or cloth. His palette of midnight-dark blue lit only by the occasional yellow torch- or lantern light and white stars draws attention to the whites of the frightened escapees’ eyes and makes sunlit Freedom all the more precious when attained. Lengthier accounts of travel on the Underground Railroad abound, but few if any portray the experience with such compelling immediacy. (afterword) (Picture book. 5-9)" www.kirkusreviews.com, A Kirkus Starred Review

Age: primary / intermediate
Genre: historical

This book had great illustrations. The words were very simple on each page so the illustrations did a lot of the story telling. The words were simple but they were powerful. This would be a great book to use during a history lesson. It is informational and engaging without being extremely heavy for the younger kids. ( )

This primary book is an easy read but tells a complex story about escaping from slavery. This book would be good for the classroom to have students and analyze and discuss the meaning an importance.

I really enjoyed this book and think it is a really nice way to introduce this topic to younger students. It follows an African American family as they escape from slavery and run to freedom. It only has like 3 words on each page, but those words with the pictures tell a really touching story that would be an easy read for students. It may require some adult explanation as this book deals with some more complex things than a younger student may be used to. ( )