Items related to Freedom River

Freedom River - Softcover

Rappaport, Doreen

  • 4.22 out of 5 stars
    212 ratings by Goodreads
 
9781423106340: Freedom River

Synopsis


One thousand feet across the Ohio River lay Ripley, Ohio—and freedom. Before the Civil War, Kentucky was a slave state, while Ohio remained free. Time and time again, John Parker, an ex-slave who had bought his own freedom, led Kentucky slaves across a thin stretch of river to Ohio, and safety. These dangerous journeys demanded a tremendous amount of courage, planning, and faith.

 
Freedom River is based on a true story of one man’s determination to help an African American family escape from slavery along the legendary Underground Railroad.

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About the Author

Doreen Rappaport has written several award-winning books for children, including The School Is Not White!, illustrated by Curtis James; Martin’s Big Words, a Caldecott Honor Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration, and a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award winner; Freedom River, an ALA Notable Book and winner of a Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration; and John’s Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon, all illustrated by Bryan Collier. Rappaport lives and writes in upstate New York.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Based on a true slave escape story, this picture book for older children combines an exciting, heartrending narrative with dramatic collage and watercolor pictures. John Parker was an ex-slave who became a successful businessman and an active conductor on the Underground Railroad. On one of his journeys, he helped an African American couple escape with their baby from the slave state of Kentucky to the free state of Ohio. The white owner knew the slave parents would never leave their child behind, so he had the baby sleep at the foot of his bed; but Parker stole the baby, tricked the master, and led the family across the river to freedom. Rappaport frames the incident with a biography of Parker, who may have helped as many as 900 African Americans. In a note, illustrator Bryan Collier speaks about his pictures, but his main commentary is about his own religion: he believes that Parker's story is about the power of prayer. His spiritual message will appeal to some readers; others will find it intrusive and simply focus on the inspiring story and stirring narrative pictures. Hazel Rochman
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