Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad (On My Own History) [Paperback]

Marlene Targ Brill (Author), Janice Lee Porter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: On My Own History

Recounts how Allen Jay, a young Quaker boy living in Ohio during the 1840s, helped a fleeing slave escape his master and make it to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

In the ``On My Own'' series, a straightforward story based on a childhood incident recorded in Jay's autobiography. When his father gets word of an escaping slave, he tells Allen to hide him, adding (in the Quaker idiom), ``if thee does this, thee must not tell me or anyone''--thus making it possible to mislead pursuers without a direct lie. This deception, plus insistence on ``the correct papers'' before the posse searches, gains time for Allen to take ``Henry James'' by night to relatives, who get him safely to Ohio. With telling, authentic details, Brill does a good job of incorporating basics about the Underground Railroad into her narrative and bringing out its suspense. As for character, James is an assertive man who, interestingly, carries a gun; Allen is credibly courageous and quick-witted. The art, in a sturdy style rendered in muted pastels, quietly accentuates the drama. A solid contribution. Note; afterword. (Nonfiction/Easy reader. 5-10) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile

Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, was not born a princess. She grew up in a poor BARRIO in Havana, where she lived with her family, went to school, and did her chores just like any other girl. But Celia had a voice that moved anyone who heard it . . . So begins this modern day fairy tale about the life of this flashy salsa diva. Michelle Manzo narrates the story and sings with AZ��CAR (sugar)! The production is accompanied by an energetic soundtrack, packed with appropriate sound effects and music that won't let the listener sit still. Julie Maren's illustrations provide a perfect complement to this colorful story. The production also includes a glossary of Spanish terms and a bonus track with the Queen of Salsa herself singing "Quimbara." J.A.G., L.R.P. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 47 pages
• Publisher: First Avenue Editions (July 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876146051
• ISBN-13: 978-0876146057
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > 1800s

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD FOR SCHOOL USE, September 13, 2000

By 

Dr. Gilbert Huffman (Mount Airy, N.C. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad (On My Own History) (Hardcover)

The concept of the Underground Railroad is difficult for most children to grasp, and they first think it is similar to the subway. I used this book with elementary students in a small rural school in North Carolina where there are very few minority students; they loved it. For the first time they were able to understand the horrors of slavery and what the slaves and "conductors" alike risked for freedom in the North. The author does an excellent job of making this dark and complex chapter in our history understandable the students. The wanted to read it again and again.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Allen Jay, an introduction to the underground railroad, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad (On My Own History) (Hardcover)

Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad is the retelling of a man's recollections of his first experience helping an escaped slave. The book brings the underground railroad down to the level primary students can comprehend. This book makes for wonderful discussions regarding overcoming one's fears, going against the norm and doing what you believe to be morally correct. The story is very idealistic. The dark side of the time period is not dealt with in any depth. This makes the book excellent for young readers who are just getting their feet wet on the issue of slavery.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, especially interesting for boys, April 14, 2011

By 

N. Porter (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad (On My Own History) (Hardcover)

I was looking for some books about the underground railroad to supplement my third grader's history. This definitely fit the bill. It's definitely a bit on the easier side to read (but I have advanced readers)... so an advanced 1st grader could easily read it. But the thing that I really liked is that it really appealed to my 1st and 2nd grade boys... because the story is about a boy and the way it is written is quite exciting. After all, how many boys get to save a person and be the one actively doing so? As an added benefit, they didn't water down the boy's or his father's beliefs... the boy was a Quaker, and they kept him faithful to his religion by being honest even when they could have easily said that he lied. So I liked the historical accuracy in that as well. Highly recommend to all Christians, Catholics, AND non-Christians! Just a good, clean book!