num_pages: 40
description: When Granny Judith asks twelve-year-old Christmas John to row Molly, cook’s daughter, across the river from Kentucky to the Free State of Ohio, he’s terrified. Bravely, he begins the first of many journeys. Each time he returns, Granny Judith asks what color clothing his passenger wore, for she’s had a dream-vision and is making a quilt from squares of these “freedom colors.” When there are only two squares left, she tells him, “Dream says we got to get ourselves over the river, ’cause the danger’s gonna grow awful.” This compelling story, powerfully and poignantly illustrated, is a memorable celebration of courage, hope, and unselfish love.  Night Boat to Freedom is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
language: English
title: Night Boat to Freedom
titlecomplete: Night Boat to Freedom
genres: Cultural, Historical, Family, Fiction, Picture Books, Middle Grade, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, African American
ratings_count: 160
awards: awardedAt: 1167638400000
name: Jane Addams Children's Book Award
category: Younger Children
publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)