Friend on Freedom River (Tales of Young Americans)
Grade 3-5–As he departs for a trip up North to work in the logging camps, Louis's father imparts this advice to his son: "If you don't know what to do, just do what you think I would have done." The boy must rely on these words as he helps his mother prepare for the coming winter along the Detroit River. The year is 1850, and on a cold December night, Louis hears a familiar whispered question of code coming from the bushes, "Are you a friend?" He replies as his father had taught him to, and a family of runaway slaves asks him to ferry them across the icy waters to freedom in Canada. The text reflects the apprehension and danger of this task for all involved. Meticulous detail is given to facial expressions that reflect character and emotion, to the physical environment, and to the body language of each figure. The compelling text and the beautiful, atmospheric paintings come together well to reflect these historical events with great compassion. Listeners or readers will be thoroughly engaged.–Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, ALCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.