Eleven-year-old Samuel was born as Master Hackler's slave, and working the Kentucky farm is the only life he's ever known--until one dark night in ...
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Apr 19, 2009
Destiny
rated it: 
Trouble Don’t Last
Shelley Pearsall
239pp.
ISBN: 0-440-41811-9
Trouble Don’t Last is about the life of slaves and the journey of the Underground Railroad to freedom. This book is also about how when you are black you will always have a harder time because of your skin color, even in the free land. In this book an eleven year old slave named Samuel and Harrison an elderly slave ran away from their master’s home to Canada, where they will be free. Samuel has never be More...
Shelley Pearsall
239pp.
ISBN: 0-440-41811-9
Trouble Don’t Last is about the life of slaves and the journey of the Underground Railroad to freedom. This book is also about how when you are black you will always have a harder time because of your skin color, even in the free land. In this book an eleven year old slave named Samuel and Harrison an elderly slave ran away from their master’s home to Canada, where they will be free. Samuel has never be More...
Sep 10, 2010
Jill
rated it: 
Wow! This was a powerful book.
I read about this book at the end of All Shook Up, which was on the Caudill list this year. This was the author's first book, and I am not sure how she ended up writing All Shook Up after this one... it was cute, but this was just really well-done.
Trouble Don't Last is a book about the Underground Railroad and two runaway slaves who are trying to get to Canada. Looking back, I never really knew a lot about the Underground Railroad. I knew tha More...
I read about this book at the end of All Shook Up, which was on the Caudill list this year. This was the author's first book, and I am not sure how she ended up writing All Shook Up after this one... it was cute, but this was just really well-done.
Trouble Don't Last is a book about the Underground Railroad and two runaway slaves who are trying to get to Canada. Looking back, I never really knew a lot about the Underground Railroad. I knew tha More...
Apr 25, 2011
Dan
rated it: 
I thought this was an incredible book. I really liked this story because it is about a young slave boy making boyish decisions and judgments, but learning to stand tall like a young man. It also lends light to: What's more important, your beliefs or your actions? I especially like the ambiguous ending where it is left to the readers to decide if the constable can or cannot read. Trouble Don’t Last is a narrative story told by eleven-year-old Samuel who was born a slave and turns into a run-away
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Sep 25, 2010
Emily
rated it:
I grumbled through the first half of this book because I so did not want to read it. Shelley Pearsall is coming to visit our school, and so I had to read it. It just wasn't jiving with what my reading tastes were craving. But I kept going, and I am oh-so glad I did. I almost cried when I finished it about 5 minutes ago. This is a suspenseful and endearing book, one that is very deserving of its awards. I live in an Ohio town full of Underground Railroad history, and I cannot wait to have t
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Apr 06, 2010
Tmschade
rated it:
Summary:
On Samuel's journey north, he learns the many dangers of escape. He also learns a secret that changes his life.
Passage:
"Know how I got my scars?" He held out his arms, pointing to all the scars. Some jagged stripes, some round like pox marks. "You see what those marks are?"
"Smallpox?"
"Look." He held his arm closer. "They look like nail marks to you?"
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On Samuel's journey north, he learns the many dangers of escape. He also learns a secret that changes his life.
Passage:
"Know how I got my scars?" He held out his arms, pointing to all the scars. Some jagged stripes, some round like pox marks. "You see what those marks are?"
"Smallpox?"
"Look." He held his arm closer. "They look like nail marks to you?"
More...
Mar 29, 2009
Elisa Babyyy(:
rated it:
i have reada this book twice- both being read by a teacher. I was read it in 3rd grade in CT, and in 5th grade in PA. Both times I really got into it and longed for more. I would take the book from my teacher overnight and read the rest of the chapter. Then the next day in class my teacher would read it and I would learn even more each time I heard it. I recomend this book to kids grades 3rd-8th. Even my teacher said it was one of the best books she had ever read.
Aug 28, 2010
Killian
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 20, 2008
Vicki
rated it:
A narrative story told by eleven-year-old Samuel who was born a slave and turns into a run-away in the middle of the night when old Harrison wakes him from his sleep, coaxes him to steal a pan and knife from the kitchen, then takes him and the "tow bag" away from the only home Samuel's ever know.
The story is a look at the underground railroad through fear's eyes. The journey is reminisent of the Exodus of the Israelites and their moanings of "O why did we ever leav More...
The story is a look at the underground railroad through fear's eyes. The journey is reminisent of the Exodus of the Israelites and their moanings of "O why did we ever leav More...
Jan 29, 2012
Daniel
rated it:
I think this book was really important for me to read. I loved the book and will continue recommending this book to anyone, it really is showing a clear point that the author is trying to make and it brings back how people really lived a long time ago. When you read this book it will make you feel like you are in the characters shoes and it will leave you with many thoughts, a really good book and i recommend people to read it.
Jul 08, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Keep your eye on the sun
See how she run.
Don't let her catch you with your work undone.
I'm a trouble, I'm a trouble.
Trouble don't last always. -- Virginia Slave Song
For years, people have been telling me I should read this work of historic fiction for children. It takes place a couple of years before the start of the Civil War, 1859 to be exact and follows the trek of runaway slaves, Samuel (a boy of 11) and and old man named Harrison on the Underground Railroad. Alo More...
See how she run.
Don't let her catch you with your work undone.
I'm a trouble, I'm a trouble.
Trouble don't last always. -- Virginia Slave Song
For years, people have been telling me I should read this work of historic fiction for children. It takes place a couple of years before the start of the Civil War, 1859 to be exact and follows the trek of runaway slaves, Samuel (a boy of 11) and and old man named Harrison on the Underground Railroad. Alo More...
Oct 27, 2011
Crista
rated it:
Scott O'dell Award winner 2003
This is an excellent human interest story about traveling through the Underground Railroad. The reader learns the secrets write along with our young protagonist. With this very detailed and true to emotion text, we feel his fear, anxiety, and stress.
I love this “Child-like Innocence” view of traveling from slavery to freedom in Canada.
This is an excellent novel for middle school students to read when learning about the Undergrou More...
This is an excellent human interest story about traveling through the Underground Railroad. The reader learns the secrets write along with our young protagonist. With this very detailed and true to emotion text, we feel his fear, anxiety, and stress.
I love this “Child-like Innocence” view of traveling from slavery to freedom in Canada.
This is an excellent novel for middle school students to read when learning about the Undergrou More...
May 18, 2009
Dextersgirl
rated it:
A friend suggested this book to me recently. I had never heard of it previous to this and I read it for the first time at age 31. It was a quick read, obviously, but it led me to want to explore more into the non-fiction books on the same topic, particularly those the author cited in the bibliography. I think that is a sign of a great book--one that leads you to want to delve more into the subject.
Mar 14, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
I would probably give this 2 1/2 stars if I could. Liked it but didn't love it. Interesting and informative story of the Underground Railroad, though. Won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. I guess it bothered me that Samuel never felt that the people who helped him really cared about him as a person. Perhaps that's realistic in that there was prejudice against blacks even in free states, but it made the book a little depressing for me.
Feb 09, 2009
Evelyn
rated it:
In 1859, slaves 11-year-old Samuel and 70-year-old Harrison escape Blue Ash, Kentucky and head through Ohio on their way to freedom in Canada.
This upper elementary story is told from the view point of Samuel and details their journey through Ohio to Sandusky and Canada. Written by Ohio author Shelley Pearsall, it is an interesting and compelling read. Makes a great discussion book for classroom situations.
This upper elementary story is told from the view point of Samuel and details their journey through Ohio to Sandusky and Canada. Written by Ohio author Shelley Pearsall, it is an interesting and compelling read. Makes a great discussion book for classroom situations.
Feb 03, 2011
Dotty
rated it:
11 year old Samuel was born as a slave the only parents he has ever known aren’t really his parents, Lilly and Harrison. His momma was sold off. One night Harrison awakes Samuel, drags him out of bed and tells him that the two of them are running to freedom... all the way to Canaday.
Jun 18, 2010
Alison
rated it:
The BEST book I've read about the underground railway! From a writing-teacher perspective, this story is worth a close look to see how Pearsall builds the beats of character change. From a reader's perspective, I am so with the characters, the story.
Feb 14, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
I read this book in fourth grade i absolutly loved this book! It is on the topic of slavery and tells the story of a 12 year old boy who is trying to escape from slavery to Canada from Kentucky. It is a wonderful book. FIVE STARS!
Jan 19, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
I always enjoy historical fiction. This one is about a slave named Samuel who runs away from KY with (who turns out to be his grandfather) Harrison. We follow their journey to a boat on Lake Eerie, which takes them to Canada.
Jun 27, 2011
Tina
rated it:
I have read many books on the Underground Railroad in our region specifically. This book captures the authenticity of many of these accounts in a novel for students. I love this one, and will use it in my classroom for years to come.
Apr 23, 2010
Breanna
rated it:
I really, really liked this book. It's all about slaves and the undergroudn railroad. I love historical fiction and this one was great! I is a very simple read, but is still exciting.
Nov 29, 2011
Calista
rated it:
I absolutely loved this book!!!!!! It is an amazing book on about freedom and how you can ALWAYS have faith in the end. I don't particularly like this book because at the end it just suddenly becomes happy and it doesn't take time on how they were so happy. I recommend this book.
Aug 05, 2010
Julia
rated it:
At first i tought this book was not going to be any good but then acually when i got into it and finished it, it turned out to be not a bad book!
Apr 21, 2010
Brianna
rated it:
Great book, but a depressing topic!! The ending is quite a lift-up though. I would recommend this book!! It was very suspenseful. Wonderful!
Jan 13, 2010
Melanie
rated it: 
I didn't dislike this book but I found myself getting frustrated with the characters. True, being a slave is not a happy time but even the Samuel's caretakers talked rude to him though it was seen that they loved him.
May 10, 2009
Mary
rated it:
Great story about two slaves, an old man and a young boy, on an Underground Railroad journey. Good for fourth grade level and above.
Feb 05, 2012
Shannon
rated it:
This is a great historical fiction story about the underground railroad. It seemed to be a true depiction of what actually happened under these circumstances, AND it was written from the viewpoint of a young slave so you really felt what he felt.
May 01, 2010
Emily★
rated it:
I read this book in like fifth grade and loved it. It is such a great story if the Civil War/Underground Railroad.
Sep 29, 2011
Noah
rated it:
It was GREAT! A very good example of the real way of how the underground rail road worked!
Apr 30, 2010
mother/daughter book club selection - great book about the underground railroad.
Apr 27, 2008
Ruth
rated it:
this is a must read! Samuel is a twelve year old slave boy. His mother was sold as wagers for a poker game when he was young. That left Lily, the kitchen slave, and Harrison, the old outside slave, left with his raising. His Master was cruel so one night Harrison decided to run and took Samuel with him. This story gives an account of how the Underground Railroad worked. Many people worked together but some even took advantage of the runaways by charging them money. They finally reached Canada th
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