A Good Night for Freedom [Hardcover]

Barbara Olenyik Morrow (Author), Leonard Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Hallie discovers two runaway slaves hiding in Levi Coffin's house and must choose between protecting herself and her family or helping the two strangers she's only just met.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4--In the winter of 1839, Hallie discovers two runaway slave girls in the cellar of Quaker abolitionist Levi Coffin. She finds herself in a predicament when slave hunters arrive and her Pa advises her not to meddle in their business. As she struggles with her conscience, she weighs the concepts of freedom and obedience, and eventually offers wrong directions to the men in an attempt to save the fugitives, despite her father's warning. Hallie is a spunky heroine, and the story is thrilling. The well-written text smoothly blends fact and fiction. Levi and his wife are real, and their Indiana homestead can be visited today. The first-person narrative adds a personal touch and helps to bring this piece of history to life. In an author's note, Morrow describes her research and lists useful print resources and Web sites. Jenkins's mixed-media illustrations capture the emotions of the characters as well as the details of pre-Civil War life. The words are printed in soft yellow boxes, which deftly balance the collage-style, dark-hued paintings. For social-studies units, Indiana history, and stories about strong female characters, this title is a worthy addition.--Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 4. Inspired by the true account of two runaway slave sisters who were hidden by Underground Railroad leader Levi Coffin in his home in Indiana in the 1830s, this dramatic picture book relates the story from the viewpoint of a white child, Hallie, who helps sisters Susan and Margaret escape. Although Hallie's Pa doesn't like slavery, it's law, and he is not meddling. But Hallie does meddle. When the slave catchers come, she points them the wrong way. Jenkins' mixed-media illustrations are packed with action, showing the small child standing up to the brutal men on horseback. Just as moving are the close-up pictures of Hallie talking with the runaways, who are nearly Hallie's own age, as they hide in the Coffins' cellar. The climax is the sisters' revelation of how slavery has torn them from their mother. Use this with Holocaust stories about the roles of the rescuer and bystander in evil times. A brief historical note about the Quakers Levi and Catharine Coffin, who provided a safe haven for about 2,000 slaves escaping to Canada, concludes. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823417093
• ISBN-13: 978-0823417094
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,257,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless story of bravery in the face of real evil., October 21, 2007

By 

J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Good Night for Freedom (Hardcover)

In a child's world of moral behavior and social propriety, a young girl is witness to the presence of two other children -- runaway slaves. From Hallie's father, the decision is clear. The law is the law and he doesn't want trouble. From another neighbor, she is told, "thou has a conscience, child."

Soon enough, Hallie makes a decision to exercise that conscience and misdirects the slave catchers -- doing what she indeed, knows to be correct.

A Good Night for Freedom is an invaluable tool for parents and teachers to open discussions about good and evil, no matter what other folks have to say!