10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful, true story about the underground railroad., August 1, 2000
This review is from: Freedom River (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)
Doreen Rappaport writes about John Parker, a former slave who bought his own freedom and then risked his life to help other slaves escape. This story is a true one about Parker's rescue of one family from the slave holding state of Kentucky to the freedom across the Ohio River in Ripley, Ohio, where Parker's home is now an historic site. Rappaport's book is written for children, and she uses capital letters, bold print, and repetition to emphasize the danger of Parker's exploits. The illustrations are by Bryan Collier, and they are collage combined with watercolor. The illustrations are simply fabulous.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Powerful, Inspiring Story, May 16, 2001
This review is from: Freedom River (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)
Before the Civil War, Kentucky was a slave state. But just 1000 feet across the Ohio River, Ohio was a free state. John Parker, was as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and helped hundreds of slaves cross that river to freedom. John was a unique individual, an ex-slave who learned to read and write and was able to buy his freedom and a successful Ohio businessman who employed both black and white workers. But he never forgot his slave roots and the terrible pain of being separated from his mother and sold when he was eight years old. Because of this, he risked and devoted his own life to helping slaves escape to safety in Ohio. Freedom River tells the story of one of John Parker's trips to Kentucky to rescue a family of three..... Doreen Rappaport has written a powerful and inspiring story of the courage and determination of one man to right the wrongs of slavery. Her eloquent text makes John Parker and this story come alive and is complimented by Bryan Collier's vivid illustrations that add a real sense of drama and urgency. Perfect for children 8-12, Freedom River is a wonderful introduction to the Underground Railroad and includes historical notes to enhance the story and augment discussion.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worthy of a rating of more than 5 stars, November 15, 2001
This review is from: Freedom River (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)
In the book, A Freedom River, the writing of Doreen Rappaport along with the illustrations of Bryan Collier together create a stunning retelling of one particular trip on the Underground Railroad. This is the story of a slave family escaping from the slave state of Kentucky to the free state of Ohio.
The book's uniqueness lies not in its topic, but rather in the characters. John Parker, this true story's hero, was not only a conductor on the Underground Railroad, but also an accomplished businessman from Ripley, Ohio. He was born a slave and worked to buy his freedom. He owned his own foundry, and employed both black and white individuals from both Ohio and Kentucky. He helped to make this book unique because he is not a well known conductor, but his impact on the Underground Railroad was just as great. It is said that he helped over 900 slaves escape to freedom during his lifetime.
A Freedom River draws the reader into the experience of the Underground Railroad. It masterfully pulls forth every imaginable emotion, as the characters must make choices that may end in the separation of families, death or freedom. The pace of the book along with large, bold directives, such as RUN, CRAWL, and LISTEN, create a feeling of breathlessness, much as if the reader too, were running for freedom.
The illustrations work hand in hand with the written word in order to create the overall experience of the book. The multi-textured collages with realistic faces add emotion and dept to the story. Wavy lives found throughout the illustrations deeply symbolize the river and its importance in the search for freedom.
This is a beautiful book and worthy of a rating of more than five stars. It could be successfully used with children from 1st to 6th grade. It is an excellent book for introducing and further understanding the Underground Railroad.
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