The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom

by Bettye Stroud, Erin Susanne Bennett (Illustrator)

The images stitched into Hannah's patchwork quilt lead to secret signposts on the Underground Railroad as she and her father take flight from slavery on a perilous path to freedom.

The wagon wheel. The bear's paw. The flying geese. These are some of the squares in the quilt Hannah's mama helped her to sew -- before Hannah's sister was sold to another plantation and before Mama died of a broken heart. Now that Hannah's papa has decided to make the run for freedom, this patchwork quilt is not just a precious memento of Mama -- it's a series of hidden clues that will guide them along the Underground Railroad to Canada, where they'll finally be free. A fictionalized account of a fascinating oral history, THE PATCHWORK PATH tells the story of a brave father and his young daughter, two of thousands who escaped a life of slavery and made the dangerous journey to freedom -- a story of courage, determination, and hope.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens, African American, Historical, Realistic Fiction, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Bettye Stroud, a former school library media specialist and author of several children’s books, is on a “mission” to introduce kids to the joys and benefits of reading at an early age. Reading out loud to children is the single most important thing an adult can do to prepare a child for future academic success and life. “Reading is a skill that they will use for the rest of their lives, and embracing it at an early age develops their love of books in addition to expanding their knowledge and vocabulary”, says Ms. Stroud.

Ms. Stroud’s entire career was spent working with elementary school children. Because she’s read thousands of books over the years, she knew what kind of stories she wanted to tell. After retiring, she joined a writer's group. Years of involvement with the best writers and best literature in the children’s field gave her the background she needed for her new venture. Ms. Stroud loves the personal interaction with children, so she spends a great deal of time visiting schools and libraries and inspiring children to read, grow, and dream.

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah learned to make patchwork quilts when she was very young. Her father decides to make the run for freedom and she has one of her patchwork quilts become a precious memento of her mom. The quilt is a series of hidden clues that will guide them along the Underground Railroad to Canada. This is a story that tells of the thousands of slaves that took the dangerous journey to freedom.

This book is for older elementary and higher.

[Blake Hargett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book! First, the text was beautifully written. All throughout the book, the use of vivid, descriptive language mirrors the artfully produced pictures. Though it did not win the Caldecott Award, I believe that it should have. Erin Bennett, the illustrator of the book, paints a beautiful vision of the journey to freedom from the bounds of slavery. In my classroom, I would use this book in both language arts and social studies. The story laid out only a small picture of what the journey was truly like, yet invites the reader to continue along the path. This book is a 10/10!

[Nova]

The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom tells the story of a young girl and her father’s flight from slavery to freedom. Hannah uses the quilt that her mother made to guide her and her father through the frightening journey. Each square from the quilt symbolizes an action or path that they will need to take to reach Canada safely. As long as Hannah remembers, her mother and father have been talking about freedom, but when her sister is sold to a different slave owner and Hannah’s mother dies of a broken heart, Hannah and her father decide to run away to Canada. This is a touching tale of bravery. During each step of the journey Hannah refers to the quilt for guidance, and the reader feels that her mother is with her. Hannah and her father make it to Canada safely and they prepare to begin their new lives.
At the end of the story the author writes about how the story idea came from a book called Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad. According to the book, slaves used quilts to plan escapes and make maps to share with each other. Stroud uses these true accounts to create this historical fiction picture book. Erin Susanne Bennett uses oils to create the rich illustrations. The quilt theme is carried throughout the entire story. Quilt blocks are illustrated for each leg of the journey and the illustrator carries the geometric quality of quilt blocks throughout the rest of the illustrations. Teachers could use this story for a study of Black History Month or for a Civil War or pre-Civil War unit. This could be used with students from Kindergarten to 3rd grade. The strength of this story is that it deals with a hard to understand time in this country in a way that is appropriate and sensitive for very young readers.
The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom was reviewed very well. Anne Hanson from Library Media Connection agreed that the theme of the quilt was echoed in the drawing of people, landscapes, and structures. She said that using this style “enhanced the sense that the quilt is ever-present”. The reviewer from Horn Book wrote that the book was a well written personal narrative, and that the afterward provided historical authenticity.

[Lisa Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful historical fiction books that I have ever read. Although this is a picture book, it is geared more towards the older child than a younger child. There is a great deal of symbolism and historical facts that would be lost on a younger child. There are a few details that are true in this book, and this is based on a true story. Many African American Slaves did use quilts to communicate on the Underground Railroad. Children need to learn from the mistakes that our ancestors have made and the struggles that many people have overcome. It is shocking and saddening to learn of slavery, but it is also empowering and uplifting to read about the heroic and brave acts that occurred. This is the story of Hannah, her parents and her sister Mary. Hannah's mother teache her how to stitch a quilt and the meanings behind each square. Hannah's sister is sold, and her mother dies shortly after of a broken heart. Hannah and her father use the quilt and escape from their slave owners. The rest of the story shows their brave journey and happy ending. The illustrations in this book went perfectly with this beautiful story. You felt the heartache that this family went through and you rejoiced for them at the end.

[mg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this in 4th and 5th grade classes to discuss the Underground Railroad and the coded quilts that were used. The kids have been captivated by the story, which really explains the quilt squares so much better than a lecture could. After reading it, we review what each of the quilt squares was called and what its code indicated to the runaway slave. The pictures are quite clear and do a wonderful job of illustrating the meaning behind the quilt squares.

I would also recommend this anyone who is interested in UGRR/Slave quilts used around this time who does not have time to read "Hidden in Plain View" by Jacqueline Tobin. Stroud has based her picture book on the adult book by Tobin and has done a wonderful job. The picture book might be a wonderful way to whet a young researcher's appetite to learn more about the UGRR as well as other ways that slaves used secret communication to let each other know how to escape to freedom.

Though this is a picture book, it's really meant for mid- to upper- elementary, mostly because of all the history required in order to understand it (slavery in our early years as a country, the North vs. the South, etc.).

[Becky Birtha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've probably read too many picture books about escaping on the underground railroad to be a fair judge anymore. The Patchwork Path is also one of a growing number that tell of the use of patchwork quilts as maps or code for escaping travelers. (On this subject, the author's afterword provides a reference to historical source book, Hidden in Plain Sight). Erin Susanne Bennett's brightly colored paintings, while stunning, may make the journey seem more simple than it could really have been. What moved me most, on Hannah and Papa's journey, was their day hidden beneath the floor of the First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia, a place I have visited and recognized in the painting. Children will enjoy finding the quilt patterns, and their meanings, throughout the story.

[KIMBERLY JEAN]

Text-to-Text-Connection
The book Patchwork Path is an exceptional story about a child learning how a patchwork quilt can be a family heirloom. Another book that you can compare this book to is a Secret to Freedom. In this book you learn about the Underground Railroad. In both stories you learn what each patchwork meant to the individual and the story that it told. The stories are relatable and tell a different story.

[Jessica Gilligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stroud, Bettye. (2005). The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom. Candlewick Press.

Tumblebooks

This was a touching story about two slaves who must journey far and wide to gain their freedom. It was based on stories that have been passed down orally about the underground railroad and quilts that were used to relay messages. The young girl Hannah was given a quilt by her mother, who later passed away. She was told that the quilt contained a secret code that would help her escape to freedom. Each square contained symbols that could help Hannah know what to do when she most needed it. One stormy night, she and her father made their escape. They planned to reach Canada and thus gain their freedom. During their escape they encountered many obstacles, but Hannah used the symbols in the quilt to brainstorm solutions. When they finally reached freedom, Hannah planned to make another quilt using the old remnants of their slave clothing to tell the story of their journey.

This book does more than show what it might have felt like to be a slave; to have family members taken from you; to have run for your freedom. It is also historical. I've heard a little about quilts being used during the Underground Railroad so I know their is truth in this story. I also know that some of the things in the story, such as the church they hid under were real places. So I think this book would be great to use during a unit in Social Studies. This story could be read either during or after students have learned about the events leading up to the Civil War or the Underground Railroad. As a followup activity, the class could make their own quilt, with each student contributing their own square that communicates a personal idea or experience.

[Luz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the story The Patchwork Path, the representation of language, culture, setting, and relationships are accurate. The language used in the story is appropriate according to the period of time and socio-cultural (slavery) in the United States. Hanna and her family suffered as many other slaves family separations, unfairly actions, and so many injustices and people wanted to escape looking fro freedom. The relationships between the characters are clearly described in the story and represents different socio-economic classes and how the interaction between the characters define the results. In this case, how Hanna and his dad were able to find freedom. The character fully realized and shown to have agency, the quilt map she has from mom to help her and dad to find the railroad to Canada, is the key element in the story. Therefore, by having it and understanding the clues, Hanna makes it possible for her and dad to accomplish their goal. In addition, the main character of the story definitely belongs to an unequal world, where race and ethnicity will define the lifestyle you will have. Hanna was born as a slave, and for that reason, there was not an opportunity for her to have a “normal” life with her parents and sister living together. She had to accept that her sister was bought by another master, her mom died, and her dad wanted Hanna to have a better life, so they needed to run away from the plantation. Poverty was not mentioned clearly; but,based on the time and circumstances it is clearly marked the different socioeconomic status between plantation owners and slaves.

[Bethany Mcguirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stroud, B. (2005). The patchwork path: A quilt map to freedom. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

Picture Book Soak (one I can’t wait to use)

A Patchwork Path tells the story of one girl and her father’s escape from slavery. She and her father head north to Canada to leave their life on a Georgia plantation. They follow the path recorded in stitches in their family quilt, which served as a coded map to freedom. Although this story is fiction, the Afterword explains that American slaves did in fact use the patchwork of quilts to communicate secret messages to each other, and several of the locations the characters travel to in the story were in fact real stops in the Underground Railroad. In addition to the historical fiction presented in this book, the illustrations are boldly colored and use angles and shading to create dimension in the art and support the plot of the story well. I really like this picture book and think it will serve as excellent support for history instruction for upper elementary students. This book would be an excellent literature integration when students are learning about slavery, colonial life, or the events preceding the civil war. One reason I think this story will interest students is because history is more interesting when the events are humanized, and often times textbooks fail to present information about the people who lived during the events covered in the text, and this story provides the audience with a glimpse into the lives of slaves beyond dates and events.

[Amanda Behrends · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary - Father and daughter slaves escape to freedom using the patches of a quilt sewn by the child's mother to lead them through to freedom in Canada.
Curriculum Connection - I would love using this with second to fourth grade students to discuss the unique traditions of slaves in the south and how they used unwritten and unspoken forms of communication. This would fit in with a discussion of famous Americans in second grade playing off of the study of Lincoln or with the discussion of Virginia and the Civil War in fourth grade.
Personal Reaction - I liked this book because it was told completely from the perspective of the little girl which helps make it relatable to students. I read/watched this book on Tumblebooks and while I liked that the narration gave life to the little girl I just wasn't sold on the format. I also loved the focus on the use of a quilt and the explanation of the symbols.
Visual Appeal - Again I liked that the illustrations focused on the little girl and her perspective of the experience. I also liked the darkness of the illustrations because it spoke to the risk and danger involved.
Intended Audience - Second to fourth grade, about seven to ten years old.

[Sarah Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a TumbleBook and thought it was very interesting and the illustrations were eye catching. The story is about a little girl that is escaping from slavery using the Underground Railroad. Her mother made her a quilt that her father and her use to leave slavery in Georgia and head for Canada. This story would be good to used when talking about the Underground Railroad in class, especially with younger children because it is in the perspective of a young child. I also thought it could be used to show how stories are passed down from generation to generation and the use of symbols. The illustrations in this book are nice and the colors are bright, especially the ones in the quilt. The bright colors in the story help the reader a feel a sense of hope for the family. Reading the book my reaction was that it was full of information on how the runaway slaves used secret symbols to communicate and find freedom.

[Ruby Choe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about Hannah and her father running away from the plantation, where they were slaves. Hannah uses the codes from the quilt that her mother made as her guide to freedom. It is age-appropriate for upper elementary leveled students. The story is interesting to children and makes them think about questions such as who were slaves, and why they tried to find freedom. It contains rich, thick plot and includes realistic, convincing characters. The illustrations enhance and correspond to the text. It is also accurate in terms of setting. The author described some of the parts in the book can still be seen today. For instance, the church mentioned in the story exists in Savannah, Georgia. Both author and illustrator and African American like the characters in the book. The lifestyle of the characters is genuine because it describes in details with illustrations how slaves tried to escape from plantations to find freedom.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it hard to imagine setting off with only a few things I can carry, in a terrible rainstorm so that my scent is masked. This is the story of a man and his daughter who set off to escape one stormy night. The thread that helps are the patchwork quilt squares that are symbols to help them survive, one about flying geese which means to follow because they're flying north, another that is called the "drunkard's path' that means to avoid a straight path, to walk in a zig-zag pattern, harder to be followed. Hannah's sister was sold, and soon after her mother died. She and her father made this journey together, walking miles and miles so they could make it to the crossroads (another patch) across Lake Erie and into Canada. The author credits Jacqueline Tobin and Raymond Dobard for allowing the use of these patch symbols from their book, Hidden In Plain View. Illustrations by Erin Susanne Bennett are folk art paintings that fill the pages with fear and happiness, lots of action.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:This story is about a little girl, Hannah, and her father who are slaves. They escape to Canada to gain their freedom. To get there, they use the patchwork quilt (created by her mother) that contains hidden clues.
Curriculum Connection:Maps and directions, geography, African-American history
Reaction:I liked this story more and more as I continue to read it. It had great details and although it's fictional, many locations and passageways were real. I would definitely use this book as an introduction to the concept of slavery because the way it's presented would be easy for even young children to understand.
Audience:Kindergarten-Third
Visual Appeal:The front cover and title of this book is why I chose to read this story. You can tell this little girl is on an adventure or a mission and you want to read it to find out why. The illustrations and colors are very eye-catching.

[Becca]

This book is about a young slave girl named Hannah who lives with her family on a plantation in Georgia. When her sister gets sold to another slave owner and her mother dies of heart ache, Hannah and her father set out to escape from slavery. Hannah's mother had taught her how to make a patchwork quilt that would help her to freedom one day. Each patch had a secret meaning to help them travel. Hannah and here Papa followed the patchwork quilts meanings and found their way to freedom in Canada. The illustrations in this book are almost cubist-like, with sharp edges and features, but the colors are outstanding and brilliant. Not too much detail is added to the drawings, but just enough to make you stare at the pictures for a while. The text is long and somewhat difficult, so I would read this to a third or fourth grade class maybe. It would make a great inro book in a slavery unit.

[EmilyV · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Hannah who loses her sister and mother on a slave plantation. She escapes with her father using a patchwork quilt as a map that her mother has left her. The story has vivid oil painted illustrations that display the expressions of the characters as they continue on their journey.

I read this text digitally on Tumblebooks and the illustrations were clear and able to be enjoyed. Some features of the online story book were when the narrator read a sentence, it turned red so the reader can easily follow along. There were also parts of the illustrations that were enhanced when that part of the page was read aloud. I thought this was engaging and helpful for comprehension of the story itself.

This story could be used when studying African-American history as well as paired with informational text or other pieces of historical fiction to study slavery.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Hannah is a slave on a southern plantation. Her mother passes away after her sister is sold. But her memories are fond, especially of quilt making and the secrets of the pattern. Throughout this fictional story of historical events, Hannah and her father run towards freedom following the code of the quilt. Along the way the meet gentle characters that help them get to a ship to sail them to Canada. Close to the end of their journey, relieved by the sight of a new land, she is reminded of the sadness she feels without her mother and sister.

This colorfully illustrated story is excellent for grades 1-4. The afterword details the historical background of the oral story of quilt makings use in communicating details of the Underground Railroad.

[Brittany Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! This book would be wonderful to use for a history lesson. If I were to use it, that is what I would use it for. It is based on historical events during the times of slavery. A young girl named Hannah lived with her family and they were slaves on a farm. Hannah's sister got sold and then her mother later passed away. Before her mother passed, she taught her how to sew quilts. Hannah and her father later escaped and it talks about their adventure/struggles. Hannah sews a quilt that tells the story of their journey and she leaves a patch blank for when they reunite with her sister. This story is very touching and shows children what life was like for slaves during this time. The artwork in this story is very beautiful. Definitely recommend this story.

Category: Tumblebook

[Christine Mccurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stroud, B. (2007). The patchwork path. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Tumblebooks/ LOV
This story gives an example of what it would be life for a young girl making an escape from slavery. Unlike what many may know, a quilt can hold all of the secrets of freedom. Although this story is fictional, it contains elements from real live events. Through the drawings and the story line, the reader is able to understand the difficulties the family faced on their journey. When discussing the Underground Railroad in the classroom, this would be a great time to incorporate the story. I would recommend this for any elementary grade, but specifically grades 2-5. I enjoyed this book myself!

[Taneka · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem! The Patchwork Path is about a young girl named Hannah, born a slave in Georgia, that has a quilt that she and her mother made before her mother died. She told Hannah that the quilt will tell her everything she needs to know to run to freedom.

I have heard of these quilts before, but unfortunately, I have never seen one. I find it wonderful that individuals that were treated as nothing more than animals, can come up with an intricate concept to free themselves from bondage. This book would be great for a classroom or church program on quilt making. It would be even better if it could be tied in with Black Heritage/History Month.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this beautifully illustrated book, Hannah is a slave on a Georgia plantation. When she is ten, her mother taught her to make a "special quilt" where "each pattern holds a special meaning." She and her family dreamed of freedom. After her sister is sold and her mother passes away, Hannah and her father leave the the plantation and escape to Canada following the secret signs in the quilt. Their journey is full of danger, but the desire for freedom is great. Picture books like this is a wonderful way to introduce young students to a terrible time in our nation's history.

[Gail Barge]

This would be a great book to read with students when studying the underground railroad and the ways in which slaves escaped to freedom. The afterword of the book explains where the story comes from and the truth behind the story. This book could lead to a whole discussion and study of the quilts made by slaves that held to secrets to freedom in symbols. I would like to have students create their own quilts of freedom using symbols to create a map to freedom. I think that would be an interesting culminating activity following a study of the underground railroad.

[Amber Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story describes the encounters of slaves as they try to escape to the underground railroad. The author uses sensory details (Papa‟s lantern cast strange shadows; followed the riverbed upstream; The cold soaked my shoes. My toes felt like icy, hard pebbles; My knees and legs ached; Just as the sun rose, I saw a flock of geese) and italicized words to invite ua into the story and allow us to imagine exactly what the character is going through. I will use this book to teach students that different text in writing is acceptable and how to use sensory details.

[Ouida Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Bettye Stroud

Title: The Patchwork Path

Plot: This is a story about Hannah and her Papa who escape North to freedom. Hannah has to bring along the patchwork quilt that her mother helped her make. This quilt will help guide them to freedom.

Setting: in the South

Characters: Hannah and Papa

Point of View: First person

Theme: Culure and Diversity; Slavery

Style: Historical Fiction

Copyright: 2005

Notes: I enjoyed reading this book. I could use this book to teach about the Underground Railroad.

[Sharonneika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictional story of a father and daughter who flee from slavery with the help of her mother's hand crafted quilt. Each square from the quilt symbolizes some sort of help to reach their freedom in Canada.

I think it is a good read for black history month and it could be used for an activity during black history month. Students could make quilts out of paper or cloth for a historical activity.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book really touches my heart every time I read it. It tells the story of how slaves used quilts in the Underground Railroad to reach Freedom. I feel a combination of sadness for the past, joy for the future, and gratitude for my own freedom everytime I read it. I love this book and the opportunity it gives me to share with my children a perspective that will hopefully help them appreciate the blessings of their own lives.

[Kelly Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading "The Patchwork Path". This story had a lot of symbolism in it. This book is more for grades 3rd and up. It saddens my heart to hear how slaves had to go through so much to become free. However, I am so thankful that a way was made for them.I would use this book to discuss symbolism and history. I would also allow my students to create their own symbolic quilt that is in direct connection to them and their life.

[Nancy Mosqueda]

This touching story, is one freedom, love, courage and strength. Our small girl, is born into slavery and when she loses her mother and sister, she and her father embark into a long journey that could change the rest of their lives for better or for worse. Their map, a small quilt made for Hannah by her mother to guide her for freedom. The bright vivid colors and images creat a closeness to the characters. Hannah, becomes our friend and we hers. Together, we travel on the road to freedom.

[Kelsey Borchers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a TumbleBook. I really enjoyed looking at the book in this format. The story is about a little girl who is escaping from slavery on the underground railroad. Her mother, who later passes, makes her a quilt to help her escape to freedom. The illustrations in this book are phenomenal. This book would be great to use on a unit about slavery/civil war, etc. I would definitely use this in my future classroom.