Customer Reviews

The Light Across the River: A Novel

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3 star:		(1)
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I wish I would've read the first book, but I will do that soon! This book stands on its own. Each character and setting contributes to the plot and history that unfold in the book.

As I read this book, I couldn't help but make plans for my classroom. If I had a copy of this novel for each student, we could do an in-depth study of it. I see great potential for classroom use. From reading skills like makind predictions and inferring to math (real-life problems) to history (of course!) I see drama possibilities and debate teams taking up the issue of helping those who cross the river vs. following the law of the land vs. going into slave territory and rescuing people. I hope Stephanie has started a classroom companion book for teachers. There are so many ways to use each chapter, the book is worth every penny (and then some!)

Although this is said to be a Christian book, I found it no more "religious" than Hattie Big Sky. The religious references are natural to the characters and time period. So, any public school should feel comfortable adopting this book into their library and curriculum.

Now, just because I like the book, and I'm a teacher, doesn't mean it reads like a textbook. Far from it. Kids who like historical fiction will most definitely love it. Kids who like adventure will also like it (especially the last half when Johnny gets closer to the action and closer to getting killed.)

This exciting page turner does a fantastic job of transporting the reader to another time period and showing what life must have been like for those involved in the Underground Railroad. I can tell the author did lots of homework to recreate the environment with authentic characters, dialogue, and other historical details. I truly felt transported to another time. The hair-raising escapes also had me on the edge of my seat, particularly for the last fifty pages as I wondered whether Eliza, Beulah, and her children would escape to freedom.

I particularly related to Johnny's struggle. Who has never opened his mouth and later regretted something he said? The author did a wonderful job of making Johnny three-dimensional and sympathetic. Poor Johnny couldn't keep this mouth closed, but what an important lesson he learned about God's forgiveness in spite of his mistakes!

I really like how the author tied Eliza to Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The ending historical note added context to this powerful and fascinating detail. Again, the author deserves lots of credit for spinning such an engaging tale within the context of accurate historical record. The story concluded with a strong, satisfying finish that left me wanting more. I'm hoping for another novel about the Rankin family and their God-fearing ways. Don't miss this one!

I loved Across the Wide River so I was anxiously looking forward to this sequel. I was not disappointed!

This books continues the story of the Rankin family and yet, stands completely on its own. (Which is a rare feat for sequels.) I loved the how the story was told both through Johnny's eyes (another Rankin family member) and Eliza (a runaway slave.) Both stories were equally compelling. Johnny struggled with understanding the cruelty of slavery, keeping his family's secret and his desire to become a "conductor". And Eliza struggled against incredible odds to find freedom for her entire family. It was very suspenseful; I found myself ignoring everything else around me to find out what happened next. The writing is beautiful, almost lyrical at times and Reed does an excellent job of creating an historically accurate setting. It would make a great classroom read aloud. (Public school teachers should be aware that the story is Christian based. The Light Across the River isn't overly evangelistic, though.)

I was surprised and moved by the heartbreaking, high price slaves and those who supported them on their way to freedom paid. I guess I never really gave it much thought before. I have a feeling the Rankins and Eliza will be on my mind for a long time to come.

This historical novel will transport you into the pre-Civil War times of the Underground Railroad, into the lives of those who struggled to gain their freedom and into the lives of those who put their Christian faith into action day in and day out as they sought to assist those who were trying to escape from slavery. Stephanie Reed has done an excellent job in this sequel to ACROSS THE WIDE RIVER of capturing and bringing to life for the reader the struggles, dangers, fears, and joys of the Rankins, Eliza, and their families and friends. I found the book to be exciting, informative, and most of all wonderfully inspiring. I highly recommend it.

Length:: 1:28 Mins

I hope you enjoy this video preview of The Light Across the River.

Johnny Rankin can't keep a secret. This wouldn't be such an issue if his family (the true-life Rankin family of Ripley, Ohio) were not involved in the Underground Railroad. Johnny's "loose tongue" could endanger many lives. Oh, how he wants to help lead slaves to freedom in Canada, but he simply cannot be trusted to keep his mouth shut.
Then one day he is called upon to help a woman and her baby escape. He learns of her incredible crossing over the half-frozen Ohio River and lets the story slip to none other than Harriet Beecher Stowe. Will Johnny's indiscretion be the cause of Eliza's capture and return to slavery?

Set between the years 1837-1841, The Light Across the River gives readers a fresh view of the incredible story of the slave Eliza--immortalized in Uncle Tom's Cabin, the book that set a nation aflame just before the Civil War. Chapters switch points of view between Johnny Rankin and Eliza, and tell the "story behind the story" of not only Eliza's escape but also how she returns for her family, aided by the Rankin family. The author's in-depth portrayal of Johnny and his family is laced with true-life accounts, gleaned from the journals Johnny wrote later in life.

The Light Across the River has everything I, as a homeschool mom, love to see in historical fiction: history, action, suspense, and adventure. It's a page-turning story of real people living out their convictions. Highly recommended.

Light Across the River is the sequel to Across the Wide River. Both historical novels by Stephanie Reed tell the story of the Rankin family, conductors for the Underground Railroad. Reed's careful research shows in the authentic dialogue and settings.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and recommend reading it first, but this book stands on its own. Reading the exciting and heartwarming adventure told through the eyes of Johnny Rankin and Eliza, a runaway slave, I cried, I laughed, and I learned. I shivered as the chunks of ice gave way under Eliza's feet as she navigated the Ohio River in her desperate escape from slavery. Taking in shallow breaths, I could almost hear the slave hunters' dogs and prayed that Eliza wouldn't be found before she made her way to freedom - something we take for granted.

You'll never forget the story. What a treasure trove of information and inspiration! Though designated as juvenile fiction, this is a book for all ages.

Rev. John Rankin, the main character in "Light Across the River", is one of my favorite historical figures. I believe him to be a true American hero for his courageous role in the Underground Railroad in Ripley, Ohio. I read the book after having done much research on the history of this era, including the lives of Rankin and some of his contemporaries. I've also read books written by former slaves, and narratives of slaves that were transcribed by others.

One big issue I had with "Light Across the River" is that I think a person reading it could possibly come away with the impression that most Christians at that time were abolitionists. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rankin and other abolitionists were in truth persecuted and demonized by the mainstream Christian community during this time. I realize this book was published by a Christian publisher, and truths such as this are uncomfortable to be sure. But to avoid these facts is to sugar-coat history.

The other issue I have is that there was only one really strong black character in the book, that of Eliza. But, even she is depicted as being completely beholden to the kindly white folks to make her escape from slavery. I think that Eliza's character and that of her family could have been better developed, and that they could have been depicted more as being participants in their own escapes, as thousands of real slaves were.

There were also black abolitionists in Ripley, Ohio who took great risks to help others out of the horrors of slavery. One good example was Mr. John Parker. He was born into slavery, and through a series of events was able to buy his way out. He lived in Ripley and risked his own freedom and his very life many times by crossing the river into slave-holding Kentucky to rescue others.

I do think the book was fair. It kept my attention and there were some good historical facts presented. If reading it could spark an interest in some to do further reading on the subject, that would be a good thing.

In Book 1 Across the Wide River the main character is the oldest Rankin child--Lowry. In The Light Across the River we are introduced to the 7th child in the Rankin's family of 13 children. His name is Johnny. The Rankin family lives in southern Ohio and just across the Ohio River from Kentucky. The year is 1837. The Rankin family is apart of the network of the Underground Railroad. Not only are the parents involved in helping black slaves escape to Canada, but the Rankin children when they are old enough are also involved in this mission. When the book begins Johnny is considered "too young to keep a secret," he has the reputation in his family of not being able to discipline his mouth from telling any kind of information. Johnny feels pushed aside, unimportant. But as the story unfolds Johnny will become apart of a sweeping and dangerous journey that has touched many American lives, and is considered to have pushed emotions to the edge in bringing about the Civil War.
The story of the Rankin family is based on true historical information that the author Stephanie Reed worked tirelessly to bring in to the two books:
Across the Wide River
and
The Light Across the River.

I have loved these two books!
For the main reason is that they are just good stories of people that were willing to sacrifice all that they had and loved, in order to help others to reach freedom.
I felt the author wrote in perfect detail what it must have been like for a slave to flee in fear to an unknown land, knowing that the slave-traders and their slave-masters were pursuing them.
I felt the author has a gift for descriptive writing that makes the reader feel as if they are "there."
In story the author makes comparisons such as the kindness and gentleness and extravagant sacrificial love of the Rankin family--versus--the cruelty abuse and horror of the slave-trader.
The author writes of the warmth of a fireplace and plenty of food to eat in a free persons house--versus--the sparsity of clothing and food in a bare and cold slaves home.
The mistrust of a slave towards any white person is understandable, as of yet they'd only encountered those white people that wanted them in bondage. It took patience and the earning of trust for any slave to accept the kindness of these strangers across the river. I felt Stephanie did a great job of bringing these issues in to the story.

Thank you to Stephanie Reed and Kregel Publications for my free review copy.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Have you ever read Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe? Mrs. Stowe claimed that the stories in her book were based on actual people and events. How did she learn about the account of Eliza's harrowing escape across the Ohio River on the breaking ice? The family of John Rankin, an abolitionist minister, lived in Ripley, OH. Author Stephanie Reed chronicled the coming of age of the oldest Rankin son, Lowry, in Across the Wide River. In this sequel, she focuses on Lowry's younger brother Johnny.
In the fall of 1837, a Kentucky slave woman who has come to be known as Eliza helps her husband George escape; he is rescued by two other of Johnny's older brothers, Cal and Sam. Then in March of 1838 Eliza herself escapes with her baby Mose across the breaking ice. Now twelve, Johnny gets to see her and hear her story before Cal and another brother David spirit her on to the next station of the Underground Railroad from which she eventually reaches Canada. Johnny wants to help too, but he has a bad habit of blurting things out. There was a saying, "If you want to know what's going on in Ripley, go ask Johnny." Afraid that he might accidentally spill the beans about the "family business," Mr. Rankin sends Johnny with Lowry to Cincinnati where he is to study at Lane Seminary. However, while there he tells the story of Eliza to Harriet Beecher Stowe. His conscience bothers him about it, but he figures that everything will be all right--until three years later Eliza returns to the Rankins with a French Canadian to help her daughter and grandchildren escape.
Will they succeed, or will they get caught? And will Johnny be able to help this time, or will his having told the story to someone else present a possible hindrance? Our family did Across the Wide River as an after-lunch family read aloud and enjoyed it immensely. We used The Light Across the River for the same purpose and really enjoyed it too. While both books are great, we felt that The Light Across the River actually had more excitement. Reading good historical fiction based upon real events and people of the past is a wonderful way to appreciate and understand history. And it is especially beneficial to learn about the lives of those whose actions were guided by a sincere faith in God and His word. Stephanie Reed's The Light Across the River, which is based on written records by several Rankin family members, including John, Cal, Sam, and Johnny himself, is a winner on both counts!