Customer Reviews

Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

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!!

I read this book before reading "Dear Levi." Actually, of the two, "Dear Austin" is better. "Dear Levi" is a good portrayal of the westward movement, but it is incredibly depressing. "Dear Austin" has its share of difficulties and sadness, but is much more humorous and hopeful, which creates more of a balance.

I disagree with a reader who thought it was boring. My students have always enjoyed it. There are parts that are slower than others, but it is thoughtfully woven together. The end of the book has a part that happens twenty years later, and it always makes me cry.

The characters are excellent. Levi is such a realistic boy who is always mischievous, but claims he is being responsible. There's a lot of humor in his way of thinking. Jupiter can't speak, but he becomes a lovable character, just as well.

The story is excellent at showing the evils of prejudice and slavery, as well as showing the bravery and love of those who opposed it. I highly recommend this book to children in grades 3-6. Some vocabulary and terminology may be difficult as it comes from another time period. It is an excellent book to read with your child or to read with children in your classroom.

I have used this book in my classroom many times, from a read-aloud to the class to using it in small groups. There is some difficult vocabulary, but with help from a teacher or a parent, it is very much worthwhile. Children can relate to the mischievous, daredevil ways of the characters. It is both funny and heart-wrenching. The ending is always a struggle for me to read aloud to them. It always brings a tear to my eye. My classes have all loved it so much that they insist that I read the companion book Dear Levi, but I don't have it. I will be ordering it soon since my class keeps asking.

Dear Austin, Right now Im out looking for Darcy, Juipters sister,Yesterday Black Rustlers stole her! Me and Jup have set out to find Darcy. Please don't worry while im out there. A body couldn't get nothin much don to him the wild. Don't worry Austin. I'll be saving y'all some letters as im out. Don't when i'll be sendin' 'em to ya'. Till then just stay come. Is how Levi talks to Austin thorough out the whole thing, in letters. AS they set out they meet the famous "Moses," a.k.a Hariet Truman. A black slave leader, the slave train, and suspence, history, and all around tightnes! I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS TO READERS HOW LOVE TO READ! (of course.) And people how love to read about the stuf I like to read about, like this story. So go out and buy it!

Dear Austin, Right now Im out looking for Darcy, Juipters sister,Yesterday Black Rustlers stole her! Me and Jup have set out to find Darcy. Please don't worry while im out there. A body couldn't get nothin much don to him the wild. Don't worry Austin. I'll be saving y'all some letters as im out. Don't when i'll be sendin' 'em to ya'. Till then just stay come. Is how Levi talks to Austin thorough out the whole thing, in letters. AS they set out they meet the famous "Moses," a.k.a Hariet Truman. A black slave leader, the slave train, and suspence, history, and all around tightnes! I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS TO READERS HOW LOVE TO READ! (of course.) And people how love to read about the stuf I like to read about, like this story. So go out and buy it!

A review by Lacy

This book was about a group of boys named Levi, Jupiter and Possum. This story takes place back when slavery was a big issue, when the North and South were battling against one another. They were living in the north with Miss Amelia because they didn't want to have any part of the slavery. Levi always writes to his brother Austin who he doesn't see that often.

In this book there isn't just one plot there is a series of things going on in a lot of the letter there is a different topic and new things going on. Like when they were scared the bully was going to throw his dog into the river from the cliff and then the author starting talking about Levi having to take dance classes. I think that the author could have explained some areas better and put more detail in to what he was explaining. Some of the conflicts are expressed pretty well but some others really need some work on. I couldn't really follow a lot of the book because it was a hard book to get into. The length of this book was pretty fair. It probably should have been longer and add some more detail in it. I was happy when I finished the book; I thought it would never end. It was just so boring. The vocabulary of this book was easy to understand. I didn't have any trouble reading words but some of the sentence was confusing.

I would highly recommend you not to read this book. It is really hard to get into. This book was a very slow pace book. If you like being confused then I recommend this book to you but for the people like me who don't like being confused don't read the book.