Freedom River

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.

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.