by Leslie Davis Guccione

read aloud grade 3 and up, readability grade 4 and up

This story takes place during the time when slaves in the United States depended on the Underground Railroad as a means for freedom. Twelve year-old Freedom is caught in the middle of a dangerous situation as slave hunters take his father prisoner. At this time his father is in the middle of helping a young family of five escape from their owners. Freedom, is suddenly forced to gather all his courage to continue his father’s life saving work. This is a powerful story that takes readers on a suspenseful journey through a time that will never be forgotten in American history.

Do some research on slavery and the Underground Railway. Put yourself in an escaped slaves shoes. Write a diary (or a few diary entries) from this point of view. Write about escaping from slave owners to arriving in Canada on through the Underground Railway.

Here’s an excellent research source on the internet:

• African-American Mosaic A Library of Congress Resource Guide for the Study of Black History and Culture: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/intro.html – Provides on online collection of reproductions of original documents, personal stories, and ex-slave narratives.