Our Kansas Home

With violence breaking out all over the Kansas Territory at the hands of border ruffians, Charlie and his family must take extra precautions to keep their hidden runaway slave safe until the Underground Railroad gets back in action. Simultaneous.

Grade 2-4-Told with simple, clearly written sentences and taut dialogue, this exciting addition to the series relates the adventures of Charlie Keller's family, who moved to the Kansas Territory from Massachusetts to find a new life and to help keep slavery from spreading. They want their territory to enter the Union as a free state, but the pro-slavery people are more powerful and backed by unruly and violent border ruffians. When the dissidents burn down the Free State hotel, Papa senses the danger and sends Charlie and his dog Lion home. On the way, they encounter a young slave who is trying to make her way to Canada. Charlie takes Lizzie home and his mother comes up with a plan to help her. This high-interest, early chapter book brings an era of history alive, and will pique children's interest, including older reluctant readers. A brief background of the period with several Web sites should encourage further exploration into the events touched upon in this book.
Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE
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