Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad [Library Binding]

Elvira Woodruff (Author), Nancy Carpenter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2008

Now in paperback! In this companion novel to Dear Levi, told in letters,11-year-old Levi helps a young African American in a harrowing flight for freedom along the Underground Railroad.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Set in 1853, this sequel to Dear Levi (Knopf, 1994) consists of letters written by 11-year-old Levi Ives to his older brother Austin. Remaining with his guardian, Miss Amelia, until he is able to join Austin on the family claim in Oregon, Levi describes his escapades in the Pennsylvania countryside with his friend, Jupiter, the son of a former slave. When Jupiter's sister is captured by slave traders, the two boys undertake a dangerous journey south to try and free her. While hiding in the woods, they meet Harriet Tubman, and Levi realizes that Miss Amelia and some of his neighbors are part of the Underground Railroad. Rich in adventure, mystery, and suspense, the succinctly written narrative depicts Levi's struggle to understand the prejudicial attitudes of others. The boy's life of freedom is beautifully juxtaposed against Jupiter's life and his constant fear of capture. The plot advances through Levi's letters, which also speak about his feelings for his guardian, his friends, and his brother. Each character is an individual whose actions are believable in the context of the story. This carefully researched and vividly imagined novel presents the emotional and gripping tale of one boy's confrontation with the issue of slavery and its significance in American history.
Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Readers don't have to have read Dear Levi (not reviewed) to enjoy this sequel, a gripping historical novel that covers two boys' journeys from innocence to manhood. In 1853, young Levi and his buddies, Possum and Jupiter, create a daredevil's club, through which they attempt to outrun bulls, jump off cliffs, and investigate strange occurrences in their small Pennsylvania town. The tone shifts from the humor of boyhood scrapes to tragedy when Jupiter's little sister, Darcy, is captured by slave traders. Jupiter and Levi head south to find her, a journey that is particularly eye-opening for naive Levi. The action unfolds through his letters to his brother Austin; these range from laugh-out-loud funny to poignant. Powerful emotions are subtly and expertly conveyed, from Levi's amusing embarrassment in dancing class, to his guilt for Darcy's kidnapping, to his horror at the slave auction. Woodruff combines swift pacing, historical detail (Harriet Tubman makes an appearance), humor, suffering, depth, and precise characterizations, for wholly satisfying page turner. (Fiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 137 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143528643X
• ISBN-13: 978-1435286436
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,846,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elvira Woodruff is the author of over twenty picture books and novels for young readers including George Washington's Socks. Most recent books include Fearless and Small Beauties: The Journey of Darcy Heart O'Hara.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tough story full of heart, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad (Hardcover)

I used this book with my fifth grade class. The author's ability to blend history, humor, and heart gave me just the story I was looking for to use on my unit about slavery.It totally hooked my students and I had to read much more each day than I had planned on!(They didn't want me to put it down!)I was also glad that the author didn't shy away from the truth and though the ending was hard it gave us a very moving and accurate description of the horrors of slavery- as much as a ten year old need digest. I would highly recommend this to both students and teachers, alike. M. Stevens

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Levi writes to his brother about the Underground Railroad., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad (Hardcover)

This sequal to Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail features letters from Levi to his older brother, Austin, who has now been on the family homestead in Oregon for several years. Levi will join him next spring, but until then, he must be content with exchanging letters. But adventures aren't just in the Western Territories - adventures await Levi closer to home than he thinks. When his African American friend Jupiter's little sister Darcy is kidnapped by slave catchers, Jupiter and Levi head south to search for her, and have an adventure with the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is the topic of too many children's books this fall (North by Night by Katherine Ayres, Bright Freedom's Song by Gloria Houston, and The Last Safe House by Barbara Greenwood), but Woodruff's poignant story manages to stand on it's own and hold some ground, though not as powerful as Ayres's North by Night.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ryan's Review, February 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad (Paperback)

Dear Austin Letters from the Underground Railroad, written by Elvira Woodruff, is a fantastic book. It takes place in Pennsylvania in the 1800's when slavery was around. It is cold there because it is around the winter.

This book is about a 9 year old boy named Levi Ives. There is a girl named Darcy and she loves to sing, and I mean she loves to sing! Levi seems like a very nice boy. He will play with anyone. His hobby is to sleep outside with his friends. His friend's name is Jonathan. Jonathan's nickname is Possum because his older brother Tom always looked down and said "you look like a little possum". His other friend's nickname is Jupiter. Possum and Jupiter are about Levi's age.

The problem in the story is that Darcy runs away south. Jupiter goes with Levi to rescue Darcy. They travel different kinds of cool ways. My favorite part is when Jupiter saved his dog's life from jumping off Widow's Rock.

I would give this book 5 stars because at some parts I felt like I was there. My opinion of the author is fantastic. I really think she did a good job of detailing. I would definitely recommend this book because it is amazing!!