Customer Reviews

Across the Wide River

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a novel for all ages, and once I began reading it, I couldn't put it down. The story, set in the early 1800s, is based on a real family and real events. It is the era of slavery, slave traders, and the beginning of the Abolitionist Movement and Underground Railroad. It is more than a story about the struggle between northern and southern beliefs, it is a story of human cruelty and also a story of human compassion and courage. I will never forget the main character, young Lowry Rankin, whose internal struggles with personal insecurity and his beliefs are just as powerful and poignant as his external struggles against slavery and discrimination. The moral principles depicted are timeless, and it is an era in our country's history that should never be forgotten. Highly Recommended!

The awe-inspiring story of country-boy, Lowry Rankin, an ordinary youth intent on taking a stand against slavery. With the Bible as his guide, and a preacher for a father, Lowry learns early on, the value of human life no matter what the color of one's skin. Follow Lowry from his awkward grade school days to his action-packed adolescent years as he transports slaves to the next safe house en route to freedom. Throughout the story, Lowry continually questions whether he's really making a difference...the clandestine transportation of slaves under the cover of nightfall is one thing, but will he be able to publicly speak out against slavery?

Across the Wide River is a must-read for young and old alike. The selfless, servant-attitude and godly character found in Lowry Rankin is truly refreshing. The storyline flows logically and the sense of adventure makes it hard to put down! The descriptive adjectives peppered throughout the book make for very interesting reading. Hopefully, a sequel will follow!

I have to be honest, I'm not always a big fan of historical fiction. But I picked up this book after a friend recommended it. What a wonderful surprise! Ms. Reed does a fabulous job of bringing the Underground Railroad to life and putting it into historical context. But it was Lowry's own struggle to find his calling, to do what he felt was right and stand up for his beliefs - in the face of strong opposition - that really moved me. It's something we can all relate to and I felt a real connection to Lowry. I know I will never forget him or his family. I've already pre-ordered Ms. Reed's next book!

Stephanie Reed, a woman I've neither met nor spoken to, gave my family a great gift in 2004 when her book Across the Wide River was published. I recently ordered her second book, The Light across the River. These are fictional stories of the Reverend John Rankin family and the role they played in the Underground Railroad.

Reverend John Rankin is my 4xgreat -grandfather on my mother's side.

My mother had a keen interest in genealogy. She struck up a correspondence friendship with Mrs. Reed while doing research on the Rankin family. My mom was recognized by Mrs. Reed in the acknowledgements of Across the Wide River. I got goose-bumps when I saw her name in the book.

As a child I did not pay enough attention to the stories my mom told about our family history. These stories take on greater importance, I realize now, when you have your own children. The desire to explain "who we are," "where we came from," and "what we stand for," takes on new meaning.

Across the Wide River came at an important time in my life. My mother died of breast cancer in 2002 the day after my daughter Emma's fifth birthday. My children will have virtually no memories of my mom. She won't be able to pass on to my children the stories of her - our - family. The responsibility falls to me and I was less than an attentive student.

Then came Across the Wide River. This book provided me an opportunity I could not have created on my own. Mrs. Reed handed me a story I could use to engage my children in learning about family and, more importantly, to provide my children with ancestral roles models.

We have direct descendents who had the courage to stand up against prevailing public sentiment in defense of a greater moral value: Freedom.

Across the Wide River is symbolic of the great power of family stories. As we read and discussed the book together, I could feel my own children gaining confidence to strive to do the right thing. They are a developing a sense of responsibility to continue a family legacy of standing up for social justice.

I have never done anything even marginally similar to the heroic efforts made by those who were part of the Underground Railroad. I don't begin to expect that my own children should or will one day do things that make them historic figures.

But there is a strange sort of comfort, a reservoir of courage somewhere deep within, that springs from the knowledge that someone in your family - even family members who lived more than 170 years ago - successfully confronted more difficult challenges than we will ever encounter.

My daughter Emma talks about an inner voice she hears on the few occasions she's had to confront a bully in the school yard. She says it's as if Lowry or one of her 4xgreat uncles is saying, "You can do this."

Every family has stories of making it through difficult and challenging times. My wife Joni's family overcame economic challenges - as if they didn't exist. Her parents are role models of public service.

Many families are descendents of combat veterans who had to face up to the untold horrors of the battlefield - men and women who returned to their families and communities to build a future.

These types of family stories are of critical importance to next generation and the generation after that. Through our family stories we learn that courage, cooperation and perseverance are not qualities limited to fairy tale heroes. These are qualities that reside within us all to be called on when needed.

Our family stories help us learn that even in the darkest hours there is light ahead.

Thank you to Stephanie Reed for sharing these family stories.

Across the Wide River is a work of fiction, but based on a real family, the Rankin Family, living in a time of slavery and abolition. The story, with its rich descriptions, draws you into the struggle for freedom so much so that you feel the anquish and intense longing of those desiring freedom and those who work so valiantly to secure that goal.

Stephanie Reed introduces us to Lowry Rankin, nothing but a boy in the beginning of the book, who must face constant danger and moral dilemmas when confronted with the reality of the 'family business.' Will he become a preacher and abolitionist like his father? Or will his shyness overtake his desire to help the slaves and preach the Word of God?

This is a story of courage and compassion with even a pinch of romance, but most of all - a story that won't be forgotten. Join Lowry in his adventures, and journey Across the Wide River.

Across The Wide River is based on the Rankin family, a family who lived in Ohio that did their part to ensure that slaves made it safely to freedom.

We are introduced to young Lowry Rankin at the age of nine. He is content living in Kentucky and can't understand why his abolitionist preaching father would want to move to Ohio, but all that changes when Lowry witnesses his best friend Sherwood, a slave, being brutally beaten. He decides he can't wait to live in Ohio,a free state so that he will never have to see anyone suffer the way his friend Sherwood did. His first day of school in Ohio has him in a fight with a bully who makes fun of Lowry's Ky accent, causing Lowry to become self conscious and deciding to only speak when spoken to. He is rescued from the fight by Amanda Kaphart, and quickly becomes smitten with her. Lowry quickly is labeled as shy, so his father decides to give him some responsibility to help bolster his confidence. The responsibility is helping in the "family business" of the Underground Railroad. Lowry's father also hopes that perhaps Lowry will become a preacher as well, but that's the last thing that Lowry wants to do.Will Lowry follow in his fathers footsteps, and will he continue his work with the Underground Railroad?
I felt as if this was a coming of age story for young Lowry Rankin. We follow his life from the age of nine until he hits his twenties. Lowry was a young man that was so easy to connect with. He dealt with self esteem issues often wondering whether what he did really mattered, but many around him envied him for doing what he believed in. He was a brave young man that didn't realize just how brave he was. I loved the fact that he was rescued from a bully by a girl, and fell in love with that girl.

Based on the real life family of the Rankin's for me this book was easy to connect with because it takes place in areas that I am totally familiar with. It was easy to see that the author did her research with the story, and did an amazing job of bringing a tumultuous time in history to life inside the pages of this story. I am always in awe of the people who bravely did the right things to help slaves have a chance for freedom regardless of the danger of being caught. While I had never heard of the Rankin family before reading this book, I am certain I will never forget him or his remarkable family.
A must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction based on actual fact set during the days preceding the Civil War.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As the son of an abolitionist minister, Lowry Rankin has always understood that slavery is wrong. He often struggles with the importance his father places on freeing the slaves, though--until he himself becomes involved with the Underground Railroad. Although Lowry finds himself the target of bullies and hates speaking in public, as he grows older, he realizes just how important his father's work is ... but is it important enough for Lowry to risk his life?

In Across the Wide River, author Stephanie Reed weaves historical fact and fictionalized details together into an engaging story surrounding one family's involvement with the Underground Railroad. While the story got off to a quick start, it slowed down for several chapters, and I got a little bored. But once the action picked up again--when Lowry became involved in the Underground Railroad--I could barely put it down! I especially enjoyed the Rankin family's connection to Harriet Beecher Stowe and Henry Ward Beecher. As someone who enjoys American history, I can't believe I didn't know about the Rankin family, and I'm glad Reed wrote this book, which is perfectly geared toward upper elementary and middle school students! (In fact, I've been looking for novels to read in my intermediate-level reading class this year, and this book may just be a perfect choice!) When the book ended, I wanted to know what happened next, so I was pleased to learn that Reed's sequel, The Light Across the River, is also available. I highly recommend this book!

***I received a copy of this book free for review from Kregel Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.***

Lowry Rankin knows all too well the cost of freedom; after all, his family's red brick home is the first stop on the Underground Railroad north of the Ohio River.

He's seen friends beaten for the color of their skin. He's watched simple farmers make a difference. He's even risked his own life transporting escaped slaves to the next "station". But will Lowry be able to conquer his greatest fear when he's called to speak out?



Across the Wide River was an outstanding read! I would say it was the best Historical Fiction I have read in a long time. The author does a wonderful job of telling the "story" of real life character Lowry Rankin and his family. Not only do we get to see what amazing things the Rankin family (and others) do during this difficult time in history, we also get to see Lowry and what is going on inside his head and his heart. We learn that even though his acts are courageous, he has little self confidence and even at times is resentful of what he knows he needs to do. This adds an amazingly real human element to a very heroic story. I loved this quote when Lowry saved his sister from a wild hog, "For a week, Lowry had been a hero in Carlisle, the envy of his schoolmates. Privately, he thought that if he had to battle a wild hog to be a hero, he would just as soon let somebody else have all the honors."




The author also does a fantastic job at describing the scenery and activities going on around the characters. It truly makes you feel like you are part of the story. As I read the novel I could hear the annoying sound of the cicadas and feel the itchy bites that the chiggers left behind.




Although the book is written during a very violent period of time, the author does an excellent job of portraying the violence and fear without being overly graphic or making the book inappropriate for children. Across the Wide River would make a great read aloud for a family or independent read for ages 9 and up who are studying the era leading up to the Civil War or the Underground Railroad. It also is great if you are looking for an excellent read about true American heroes. Now, I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, The Light Across the River. I am compelled to find out more.




I received a complimentary copy of Across the Wide River from Kregel Publications for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.

I just finished a great historical fiction book. Across the Wide River. This story began in the 1820's. It tells the story of Lowry Rankin, son of an abolitionist minister. It was interesting to read about pre-Civil War and the Underground Railroad. I had never sat down and thought how long slavery issues were struggled with. It was interesting to see the tension of slavery in Ohio because of Kentucky (a slave state) being on the other side of the river.

The book was filled with numerous historical facts. A lot of research obviously went into this book.. The story was based upon a real person and real events, but some of the names were changed. Lowry was born in Tennessee but his family moved because his father wanted to live in an anti slave state, however he felt called to minister in Kentucky. After witnessing the beating of Lowry's best friend (a slave), who was beaten by a bystander for learning to read and write with Lowry, Lowry's family uproots and move across the river to Ohio. His family then begins to help fugitive slaves get to Canada. Their home is a stop along the way of the Undergroud Railroad.

It was amazing to see the amount of time that it truly does take to be a part of such a noble cause. I have even more respect for those who serve on the Railroad. This was a lifestyle and way of living that they took on. SO many sacrifices and dangers that could have and did befall many who helped slaves escape at this time.

This was a wonderfully written historical fiction book. I would definitely recommend it. It was catergorized as teen fiction on the back, however, I definitely think that an adult could find interest in the story. It was short however, but I am definitely looking forward to reading the sequel. I cannot wait to hear the rest of Lowry's life! Check out this book!

Across the Wide River is based on the true story of the Rankin family living along the Ohio River in the 1820s during the heightening tensions between slave owners and abolitionists. It's the story of a young boy's journey to free slaves by helping them on the Underground Railway. It gives readers a really good feel for the emotional, economical, spiritual and political debate around slavery. It is a powerful story of faith and courage, as the Rankin family sacrifices to do what is right and challenge others to do what's right. It is a story of adventure and risk, as youth and adults navigate hostile communities and the Underground Railroad. It's a tale of self-discovery and growing confidence, as young Lowry overcomes the insecurities brought on by his peers to seek his own place in the world. It's a story of family and community. It's a story of finding ways to fight injustice - finding a way to help others - whether you are 9 or 89 years old.

It's an educational and inspirational read, and I hope it will inspire readers to explore injustices in their own communities and find a way to make a difference. Stephanie Reed is a great story-teller, and I look forward to reading more of her books. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, as well as students who want to explore American history. It would also be a great story for families to read together.

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