Customer Reviews

Under the Quilt of Night

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautiful book by the same author and illustrator of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. However, this time, the narrator remains anonymous but is not forgotten. Without undue melodrama, she tells how part of her family is about to be sold off; the time is now or never to escape, which she and part of her family does. Though the slaves are fleeing their cruel owners, the book focuses on the good, kind people along the underground railroad who help the runaways find safety in Canada. Noteworthy are the secret codes the fleeing slaves and their protectors used, such as the owl hoot, lantern, and log cabin quilt patterns. The latter idea is drawn from "Hidden in Plain View," an adult book that unlocks much of the secret communication that enabled thousands of slaves find safety and freedom. (I recommend "Hidden in Plain View" highly.) The illustrations are breathtaking; I particularly like the geese flying north when the family reaches a northern US church (flying geese is another quilt code pattern). This book should be read with "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" and "Follow the Drinking Gourd." The story of the Underground Railroad is a story of how conscientious good can overcome evil. "Under the Quilt of Night" is a story that needs to be told and remembered

"I'm young/but my legs are strong./I can run.// I run so fast,/I lead the way;/the ones I love race right behind./Pounding dirt and grass,/jumping rocks and roots,/my feet make drumbeats/on the path..." So begins our young narrator's race for freedom on the Underground Railroad. She and her family travel "under the quilt of night", through the woods and across rivers and streams to a safe house where they receive dry clothes, food and a place to sleep before they're secreted away in a false bottomed wagon to the next stop on their way to Canada and freedom. And always behind them the men and their dogs, tracking this brave band of slaves. It's a harrowing journey. "...We can't turn back - /we would be beaten, sold away,/our chances gone for good./We must go on or die./I hang on tight./Fear is so real, it lies here beside me..." But this is a "ride" that must be taken; the trip to freedom..... Deborah Hopkinson and James Ransome's marvelous sequel to Sweet Clara And The Freedom Quilt is a powerful, tense, and compelling introduction to the Underground Railroad and pre-Civil War history. Ms Hopkinson's stirring text, written in free verse is full of imagery and magic, and enhanced by Mr Ransome's evocative and expressive illustrations, done in dark and ominous tones. Together word and art transport the reader back 150 years to the dark of night for an unforgettable ride, and youngsters will experience both the fear of escape and discovery, and the sheer joy of freedom at journey's end. Perfect for children 7 and older, Under The Quilt Of Night includes an author's note at the end to explain and enrich the story. "Freedom!/I take a deep breath/and when I let go/my voice flies up in a song./My own song/of running in sunshine/and dancing through fields./I'll jump every fence in my way."

Under the Quilt of Night was a wonderful historical fiction story of an adolescent girl's experience with the Underground Railroad. The young girl takes the lead in her family's flight from slavery. She shows strength, courage, and determination. The fluid illustrations give the reader a feeling of urgency. The reader can understand the feelings of the characters through the pictures. Deborah Hopkinson captivates her readers as she takes them through the journey of running, waiting, watching, hiding, traveling, and singing. The main character remains anonymous throughout the book forcing the reader to focus on the journey.

I use this book on a reqular basis with my 5th grade class when we are discussing slavery and the Underground RR. It is an awesom book. We also read The Barefoot!

UNDER THE QUILT OF NIGHT, written by Deborah Hopkinson, is a wonderful story of the journeys taken by slaves long ago on their path to freedom. A runaway girl flees with other slaves during the darkness of night, waiting, listening, and looking for the opportunity to continue fleeing toward safety. When she spots a quilt hanging outside a house, she knows she's found a safe house in which she will be fed and sheltered. At the end of their travels, they meet freedom.

This is a wonderful story capturing events I'm sure happened many nights during the times of slavery. The writing flows fluidly and is set up in several poem-like passages throughout the book. The illustrations are wonderful, clearly showing the darkness of the night, the emotions of the characters, as well as the symbolic nature of their plight. This is a book I'd highly recommend to parents, teachers, and librarians for older children as everyone should study and know about The Underground Railroad.

Children at the lower end of the projected age range may not enjoy the book as much if reading alone because the colors are more somber than most kids' books. However, if read with an adult or coupled with lessons on the Underground Railroad, it may be more enjoyable to them.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Excellent, very informative and well written, illustrations are vivid and colorful

I have used Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt for years with students. This is a companion, but not a sequel to that book. It's suspenseful but not too scary. And the art is magnificent.

This is a beautiful story of a courageous girl, trusting in the kindness of strangers and hoping to find freedom. It's an Underground Railroad story that we love, because the illustrations are beautiful and the story suspenseful.

It is time to give all children -- but especially black American children -- the opportunity to read good stories about their people told in standard English. It is so disappointing to find that nearly all the inspirational black history stories are told in free verse. Why is that, anyway? Aren't we teaching our kids how to succeed in America anymore?

This beautifully written book is poetry and artwork, sharing a significant story we all need to hear.

Under the Quilt of Night is a wonderful example of poetry following the escape of slaves on the underground Railroad. Excellent example of voice for young writers. Beautiful pictures.