Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad [Paperback]

Elvira Woodruff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1998

early children's reader about the time of the underground railroad 137 pages

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: SCHOLASTIC INC. @ (1998)
• ASIN: B000WEN4NY
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,362,872 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!!