Friend on Freedom River (Tales of Young Americans) [Hardcover]

Gloria Whelan (Author), Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Tales of Young Americans

In 1850 the Detroit River was a major track along the Underground Railroad-the last step to freedom. The journey across the river was dangerous, especially in winter and especially for a 12-year-old boy. When Louis's father left him in charge of the farm he offered his son this advice, 'If you don't know what to do, just do what you think I would have done.' Louis relies upon his father's words of wisdom when a runaway slave and her two children come looking for safe passage.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5–As he departs for a trip up North to work in the logging camps, Louis's father imparts this advice to his son: "If you don't know what to do, just do what you think I would have done." The boy must rely on these words as he helps his mother prepare for the coming winter along the Detroit River. The year is 1850, and on a cold December night, Louis hears a familiar whispered question of code coming from the bushes, "Are you a friend?" He replies as his father had taught him to, and a family of runaway slaves asks him to ferry them across the icy waters to freedom in Canada. The text reflects the apprehension and danger of this task for all involved. Meticulous detail is given to facial expressions that reflect character and emotion, to the physical environment, and to the body language of each figure. The compelling text and the beautiful, atmospheric paintings come together well to reflect these historical events with great compassion. Listeners or readers will be thoroughly engaged.– Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL
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About the Author

Gloria Whelan is a poet and the award-winning author of many books including Homeless Bird, for which she received the National Book Award. She lives with her husband, Joe, in the woods of Northern Michigan.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; First Edition edition (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585362220
• ISBN-13: 978-1585362226
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #797,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read-aloud about the Underground Railroad, March 22, 2005

By 

HenderHouse (Libertyville, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Friend on Freedom River (Tales of Young Americans) (Hardcover)

A young man risks his own safety and freedom to help a family finish a trip on the Underground Railroad. Told from the young man's point of view, this picture book would be a good read-aloud to provide another perspective on this important part of North American history. The illustrations are large and colorful, adding to the book's value as a read-aloud. This book would work with groups of children between grades 1 and 4.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Underground Railroad in Michigan, March 8, 2005

By 

Rick M. Mcgarry "Livingston Parent Journal" (Fowlerville, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Friend on Freedom River (Tales of Young Americans) (Hardcover)

"Are you a friend?'

About 40,000 slaves traveled along Michigan's Underground Railway, many of them running for freedom through Detroit and across the river into Canada. There are memorials to this on both sides of the Detroit River. (You can see them at eddwight.com, click on Public Art Projects). Friend on Freedom River is the story of one such family, looking for friends to help them across, and the French immigrant family who helps them to safety.

When Louis' father went away for the winter to work in the logging camps for the winter he told Louis, "...just do what you think I would have done." Of course, neither of them had any idea that would involve a trip at night in December all the way across the nearly frozen river to Canada and back again. And with the patrol boats out on the river, too. On the other hand, "If you don't take us, we might as well jump in and drown ourselves."

So together Louis and the runaway slaves risk their lives in the strong current, rowing and singing together,

"O Lord, O my Lord, keep me from sinking down
I tell you what I mean to do
Keep me from sinking down
...I look up yonder and what do I see?
I see the angels beckoning me"

This book has wonderful large pictures stretching across both pages, that draw us into the minds of the characters. It also tells a little bit about an important part of the history of Michigan.

See pictures of the author and her family and her home in the woods of northern Michigan at www.gloriawhelan.com .

[...].

5.0 out of 5 stars lessons for young children, June 6, 2011

By 

C. Boeck "cebii" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Friend on Freedom River (Tales of Young Americans) (Hardcover)

My kid's first/second grade class did a unit on slavery. I thought that was a little young, but since it came up organically during class, the teachers decided to go with it. I provided this book, along with a couple of others for them to go over in class. The teachers were thrilled. Most of the books they had were for older kids. The students learned a lot and seemed to really understand (at least my son did). I highly recommend this.