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The Amazing Underground Railroad
Thousands of courageous African Americans escaped from slavery in the South along what became known as "The Underground Railroad." The railroad provided a secret way to transport slaves to freedom in the Northern states and Canada. Author Kem Knapp Sawyer captures the courage and determination of many fugitives who traveled the Underground Railroad to freedom. Knapp brings the dangers faced by escaped slaves and those who helped them along the way into detailed focus. The success of the Underground Railroad shows the resolve of many whites and blacks to end slavery in the United States.
* Reviews *
Part of the Stories in American History series, this book tells the story of the Underground Railroad, from the early days of slavery in America, to the Civil War and beyond. Sawyer begins with an account of one slaves escape to freedom in Canada with the help of William Wells Brown. The narrative then skips back in time to give an overview of slavery in America and the beginnings of a system where compassionate people helped slaves escape to freedom. Sawyer explores the reasons behind the slave trade as well as the many motives behind those involved in the Underground Railroad. Sawyer weaves the story from accounts of real people, some famous, like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, and some relatively unknown. Sawyer pulls from diary accounts, runaway slave notices and other historical documents, giving the story a wonderful depth and dimension. A timeline and index in the back of the book make it easy to navigate the pages when searching for specific information about the Underground Railroad. Chapter notes and lists of books and websites for further reading make this book a terrific jumping-off point for research. Perfect for a school library or anyone fascinated by American history., Children's Literature
RL
Grades
5-6 IL
Grades
5-12+ GRL
X
