Freedom Crossing (Apple Paperbacks)

This book told of a story through the eyes of a young girl. Martin ( the slave) tells of how he will be treated if he came back to his master. I stroungly suggest that you read this book.

This Book was about a young girl named Laura and her brother Bert. There is a runaway slave and they try to save him from all of the slave catchers. The young boy's name is Martin Paige and he has to get to the Niagra River in one night before Bert's dad gets back and new step-mother from Buffalo delivering apples. I guess that you will have to read the book to find out more!!

Freedom Crossing is an excellent book to use when introducing the Underground Railroad to a classroom. The children truly enjoy the book and are able to gain a great amount of factual information from it. This book is a great addition to any home or classroom library! Both the kids and the teachers love it!

I highly recommended this book to anyone who likes to learn, people who like to learn about slavery. Back in the 1800's it was very difficult for Whites who tried to free slaves. It was very difficult becauseif you get caught, you could be fine. This book talked about the ways that Bert and his friend Joe tried to save little Martin, who tried to get away from his master. When I read read this book I saw through the hardship that African Ameruican slaves went through. Bert and Joe reminded me of Martin Luther King, who also believed in human rights so deeply that he risked his life for us.

I stumbled upon this book about nine years ago. When I read it I loved it. As a fifth grade teacher I decided to add it to my historical fiction book list. It quickly became my favorite book to recommend for pre-civil war, slavery, & or underground railroad exposure. I cannot tell you how surprized I am that this book is not on a number one list somewhere... It is now one of my read outloud books for Black History Month. I have never read a book to my class where the children were so excited for me to continue, they would moan when I came to the end of a chapter and stopped. They did not want me to stop reading. Clark does an outstanding job of pulling the children into the story. Her cliff-hanger chapter endings are sensational. They get so caught up in the question of slavery or how the underground railroad actually worked that it generates further research on their own about the subject matter. I truly love this story and enjoy sharing it with my students each year. I have also shared it with my fellow teaching staff and they can't beleive how wonderful the story line develops. They too are amazed at how engulfed the children get while reading the story. Clark does an outstanding job with antagonist Walt, without his staunch view of slavery and runaway slaves Laura would not have a change of heart. Martin the runaway slave is so lovable, you can only hope Laura will help him to escape to freedom. The surprize twist in the story is sure to keep any group of kids on the edge of their seats.I went to Lewiston, N.Y. this summer out of pure curiosity to explore the city for Tryon's Folly (home). The house was burned down and a new one now stands in its place.The underground cellars are still in place as are the stairs that lead to the Niagra River where Martin escaped to freedom. This is a grab a cup of hot cocoa & a comfy seat kinda book, "you gotta read this one" cuz you anit gonna put it down! I encourage you to share it with your class, good for grades 4-6.