Escape on the Underground Railroad

Liberty Lettters

by Nancy LeSourd

In this historical fiction book by former educator Nancy Lesourd, young readers can experience American history through the letters of two girls involved with the Underground Hannah, who is shocked to discover her Virginian family is helping escaped slaves make their way North and more shocked by what she learns from an orphaned runaway, and her friend Sarah, who sees the evils of slavery firsthand when a young man is brought Philadelphia home, a slave catcher hot on his heels. Filled with period-accurate information, this book brings history to life and is also perfect for classrooms or homeschool use. Within this novel in Liberty Letters series, late-elementary and middle school readers can explore the fictionalized story of two girls who find themselves in the middle of world-shaping events. Hannah’s world is shaken when she discovers her family’s involvement with the Underground Railroad. When runaways find their way to her Virginia home, she must decide if she will play it safe or join her family to help the slaves escape. In Philadelphia, her friend Sarah is drawn into the life of a seven-year-old orphaned slave, whose health and mental state has been shattered by the evils of slavery. As the danger increases, the girls must find the courage they need to act before it is too late. While reading Escape on the Underground Railroad, readers 8-12 will also Escape on the Underground Railroad And if you enjoyed Escape on the Underground Railroad, don’t forget to check out the other books in the Liberty Letters Adventures in Jamestown, Secrets of Civil War Spies, and Attack at Pearl Harbor

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Young Adult, Historical, Christian Fiction, Juvenile

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Nancy LeSourd is an author, attorney, wife, and mother of two, who lives in the Washington D. C. area. She has a B.A. in political science from Agnes Scott College, a M.A. from Tufts University in secondary education with an emphasis on American History, and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. A William Robertson Coe fellow in American history, she taught American history to middle and high school students. For more information, visit www.libertyletters.com

Reviews

[Emma Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book growing up and loved it and wanted to reread it. I just am in awe of all the people who sacrificed their lives to help in the underground railroad. It’s such a good book!

[H.S. Kylian]

Read this when I was a teenager; getting the urge to read it again.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting approach; the exchange of letters between two friends, whose families were committed to freedom, no matter what the cost! Quite inspiring for readers of any age!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book Is really good!!!!

They story is told by letters two best friends send to each other, It's really good!

[Chloe Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my introduction to the series, and I liked it so much that I ended up buying the book after borrowing it from the library. The story is very compelling, and the characters are very heartwarming. There is good analysis of the darker tones of slavery times while still remaining to be a uplifting story

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written in the form of letters between Hannah Brown and Sarah Smith, two young teenaged Quaker girls, from 1857 to 1859. Both Hannah and Sarah come from strong abolitionist families, and became close friends while Sarah attended a Quaker school in Hannah's hometown of Goose Creek, Virginia. When Sarah returned to Philadelphia, the girls began a regular correspondence. Hannah's grandfather is an active abolitionist who has helped many slaves escape along the Underground Railroad, and now that Hannah is old enough, he wants her help. While Hannah believes slaves have the right to be free, she is at first reluctant to risk her safety and that of her family. However, her experiences and her faith lead her to become an active participant in the Underground Railroad, after she meets a young slave girl of her own age, Pearl, who is trying to reach freedom in Canada. Pearl has never known freedom, and after her brother was sold away and her mother died, she and her father escaped, but had to leave Pearl's little sister behind. Hannah becomes determined to help Pearl and her family reunite and reach freedom in Canada.

Young girls who enjoy historical fiction will most likely enjoy this book, especially if they enjoy series such as Dear America. However, this book did have some flaws, particularly that the characters were not all that developed. However, I enjoyed the unique letter format, and the historical details about life in the 1850s.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Things will never be the same again. Times are changing, Hannah. You can sit by and watch it all happen or you can be a part of it. You must search your heart and decide what YOU should do.”

Two Quaker girls, Hannah Brown and her dear friend Sarah exchange letters back and forth, sometimes through post...and other times by stitching their letters into quilt blocks secretly as to hide any information from slavers. It is 1858 and the Fugitive Slave Law has been passed, making it only more difficult for slaves to reach freedom. At first Hannah wants nothing to do with the danger that comes with helping slaves to freedom, that is, until she comes face to face with a young slave girl, Pearl.

While Sarah stitches and sews and makes items in the North in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to sell and make money for the Quaker's to buy Pearl's little sister, Hannah learns in the South of Virginia what it means to have liberty and life, and to have a compassionate heart for others in need. As she teaches Pearl to read and write, she must draw courage and strength from the Lord to do what is right, even in the face of fear and great danger.

“Never underestimate the power of a yielded heart...”

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book.A runaway father and little girl finds shelter in Hannah Browns home.Will the the slave catchers find the runaways,will they be able to reach Canada,And will Hannah be able to help free the runaway girls sister.You have to read the book.

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story in letter form, with lots of interesting historical tidbits.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome! Not only can someone who likes history(like me) but someone who doesn't like it. It is more about the friendship of these two girls than about the underground railroad.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this story, it's themes, and how that was all woven together! This is a fabulous series.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that it was adventurous and exciting. I liked learning about what they did and what happened in the 1800s.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this one better than the other one