FREEDOM RIVER (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books)

Describes an incident in the life of John Parker, an ex-slave who became a successful businessman in Ripley, Ohio, and who repeatedly risked his life to help other slaves escape to freedom.

Grade 2-5-This strikingly beautiful picture book relates the true story of John Parker, an African-American businessman who bought his own freedom and helped others to gain theirs via the Underground Railroad. Rappaport chronicles just one of many incidents in which Parker helped families escape from Kentucky, a slave state, across the river to freedom in Ohio. Repetitions highlighted in large type such as, "Run, run-Row, row-Wait, wait. Listen, listen" add drama and poetry to the moving narrative. The author's and illustrator's notes at the beginning and the historical note at the end strengthen the story's impact. The hyperrealistic collage-and-watercolor illustrations dominated by deep blues and browns also add drama; the ancestors and protectors are depicted in an ethereal manner with wavy lines across their faces representing the river. Endpapers feature reproductions of a map of the Ohio River. A distinguished and thought-provoking title.
Cynde Marcengill, Horry County Memorial Library, Surfside Beach, SC
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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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