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Stealing South: A Story of the Underground Railroad
"My name is Will Spencer. I come from a little town called Atwater, Ohio, and I bought this wagon to haul goods. But lately, I’ve been hauling more people than goods."
Will Spencer’s family has always helped runaway slaves passing through their town as they travel the Underground Railroad. But Will is ready to leave Atwater, Ohio, and start a life of his own as a peddler seeking his fortune. When a runaway slave asks Will to help steal his older brother out of the South to keep him from being sold into the hard life of the cotton fields, Will amends his plan and begins an adventure that will take him into the heart of slavery’s evil.
As he makes his way from Ohio to Kentucky, Will discovers that people are not always what they seem and that it’s not always easy to tell right from wrong. After all, according to the law, stealing slaves is just as bad as robbing a man’s house. Does that mean Will Spencer is a common thief? Or is he a young man doing what’s right?
From the Hardcover edition.
Will Spencer’s family has always helped runaway slaves passing through their town as they travel the Underground Railroad. But Will is ready to leave Atwater, Ohio, and start a life of his own as a peddler seeking his fortune. When a runaway slave asks Will to help steal his older brother out of the South to keep him from being sold into the hard life of the cotton fields, Will amends his plan and begins an adventure that will take him into the heart of slavery’s evil.
As he makes his way from Ohio to Kentucky, Will discovers that people are not always what they seem and that it’s not always easy to tell right from wrong. After all, according to the law, stealing slaves is just as bad as robbing a man’s house. Does that mean Will Spencer is a common thief? Or is he a young man doing what’s right?
From the Hardcover edition.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
5 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Ayres
19 books37 followersKatherine Ayres is the author of ten books for children and teenagers. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA where she teaches writing to graduate students and Chatham University.
At age 19 she appeared on the TV show, To Tell the Truth--as a liar. "It was good practice for becoming a fiction writer," she says. "These days I have to make up stuff all the time. And I like it!"
Then, as now, Ayres was a convincing story spinner--members of the panel believed her impersonation as young readers believe and enjoy her characters today.
To get to know Katherine better, visit her website (www.katherineayres.com) and her blog (katherineayres.blogspot.com).
At age 19 she appeared on the TV show, To Tell the Truth--as a liar. "It was good practice for becoming a fiction writer," she says. "These days I have to make up stuff all the time. And I like it!"
Then, as now, Ayres was a convincing story spinner--members of the panel believed her impersonation as young readers believe and enjoy her characters today.
To get to know Katherine better, visit her website (www.katherineayres.com) and her blog (katherineayres.blogspot.com).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 9, 2016
A great portrait of a tumultuous time in our nation's history.
April 17, 2018
C. fiction, children's fiction, historical fiction, adventure, Underground Railroad, Atwater, Ohio.
October 11, 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: Katherine Ayres
Summary:
Some time during slavery in America, the protagonist emerges. His name is William and he is a goods peddler from the North (Ohio). William's family is no stranger to the underground railroad and is the subject of constant rumor in their home town. While on his last trip with a stolen slave, he promises Noah, a stolen slave, that he will travel into Kentucky to save the slave's brother and sister. After reaching illegible age, William sets off to buy general goods to add to his cargo. He travels to Cincinnati, a place in Ohio where the slave trade still exists. William is angered by the townspeople, and regards the place as a racist town. Once there, however, he meets a woman that he begins to form a crush on. The two go out to dinner and William discusses his route and his business (avoiding the topic of slavery, of course.)
With someone behind him that he could return to, William continues his journey and meets a man by the name of Ezekiel. Ezekiel is a wise old African American who knows the routes of Kentucky, making him a reliable source for his planned getaway once he retrieves the slaves. Once William arrives in the slave cabins on a plantation, he finds out that the brother of Noah has already headed south. The sister refuses to leave without her brother, and waits there. Instead of taking the girl, William takes the grandmother and 8 slaves because of a slave dealer who pressured him into transporting them. Along the way, they slip a fatal herb into the mans food, giving him a horrible stomach ache. He cannot travel any longer, and stays at a nearby farm house. From there, the plan is set and they travel to the Ohio river. Once there, they are found by slave hunters. The cargo and carriage is burned while they were getting slaves across the river to the free side. A slave by the name of Sussanah travel along the river. At some point, William breaks his leg and is unconscious for many hours. Sussanah drags William to Cincinnati where he meets up with the woman he was infatuated with earlier. The family of the woman heal Williams leg. Noah's brother, James, traveled successfully into Canada along with his sister. The rest of the slaves and Miss Delight the grand mother are suspected to have succeeded too.
My thoughts:
I enjoyed the beginning and middle of this book. I did however feel as though the ending was a bit rushed and anti-climatic. I expected more of a sound resolution, and while there was one, it seemed out of place. I also sort of expected a final confrontation where they might have been captured or faced more of a real threat than some men burning their carriage and then being unable to find them afterwards. For the length of the book though, this is a very good book and it is probably as thorough as it could have gotten. The characters are likable, but everyone asides from William is distanced and not a lot is known about them. William's morals are respectable and right too, which would earn him the title of hero easily had one been picked out. I would recommend this book to a friend or read more if there was a series even though I am pretty sure there isn't.
Finished Sept 25th
Author: Katherine Ayres
Summary:
Some time during slavery in America, the protagonist emerges. His name is William and he is a goods peddler from the North (Ohio). William's family is no stranger to the underground railroad and is the subject of constant rumor in their home town. While on his last trip with a stolen slave, he promises Noah, a stolen slave, that he will travel into Kentucky to save the slave's brother and sister. After reaching illegible age, William sets off to buy general goods to add to his cargo. He travels to Cincinnati, a place in Ohio where the slave trade still exists. William is angered by the townspeople, and regards the place as a racist town. Once there, however, he meets a woman that he begins to form a crush on. The two go out to dinner and William discusses his route and his business (avoiding the topic of slavery, of course.)
With someone behind him that he could return to, William continues his journey and meets a man by the name of Ezekiel. Ezekiel is a wise old African American who knows the routes of Kentucky, making him a reliable source for his planned getaway once he retrieves the slaves. Once William arrives in the slave cabins on a plantation, he finds out that the brother of Noah has already headed south. The sister refuses to leave without her brother, and waits there. Instead of taking the girl, William takes the grandmother and 8 slaves because of a slave dealer who pressured him into transporting them. Along the way, they slip a fatal herb into the mans food, giving him a horrible stomach ache. He cannot travel any longer, and stays at a nearby farm house. From there, the plan is set and they travel to the Ohio river. Once there, they are found by slave hunters. The cargo and carriage is burned while they were getting slaves across the river to the free side. A slave by the name of Sussanah travel along the river. At some point, William breaks his leg and is unconscious for many hours. Sussanah drags William to Cincinnati where he meets up with the woman he was infatuated with earlier. The family of the woman heal Williams leg. Noah's brother, James, traveled successfully into Canada along with his sister. The rest of the slaves and Miss Delight the grand mother are suspected to have succeeded too.
My thoughts:
I enjoyed the beginning and middle of this book. I did however feel as though the ending was a bit rushed and anti-climatic. I expected more of a sound resolution, and while there was one, it seemed out of place. I also sort of expected a final confrontation where they might have been captured or faced more of a real threat than some men burning their carriage and then being unable to find them afterwards. For the length of the book though, this is a very good book and it is probably as thorough as it could have gotten. The characters are likable, but everyone asides from William is distanced and not a lot is known about them. William's morals are respectable and right too, which would earn him the title of hero easily had one been picked out. I would recommend this book to a friend or read more if there was a series even though I am pretty sure there isn't.
Finished Sept 25th
January 12, 2017
William Spencer is told by Noah, a runaway slave, to steal his brother and sister from the plantation they live on. The title of the book is Stealing South: A Story of the Underground Railroad. Katherine Ayres is the author of this book. William Spencer, Miss Delight, Susannah, James, and Old Zeke are the main characters of the story. The story takes place in Ohio and Kentucky in the 1830’s. The relationship between the characters is that they are all fighting for freedom for African Americans.
William Spencer is a peddler who was asked by a runaway slave to steal his brother and sister. They met when William was helping runaway slaves get to Canada. He drove to Winchester, Kentucky in a wagon that was specially made with a false bottom to hide slaves. He was told to find a blacksmith to help William find the right farm. William also got help from Miss Delight. She helped William by cooking food and navigating in the woods.
The genre of this book is historical fiction. Kids would enjoy reading this book because they can learn about the history of slavery. This book is educational because it shows the cruelty of slavery. The favorite part of the book for me was when William reunites James, Susannah, and Miss Delight with their family. The author took a long time to get to parts of the story but I enjoyed reading about the struggles of the slaves fighting for freedom. I couldn't put the book down after I got into it.
People who would not like this book would be someone who is for slavery and does not like to learn about the history of the United States. Another reason why people may not like this book is because of the historical fiction is it.
In conclusion, I recommend this book because I enjoy historical fiction books. The book was well written and gave an accurate description of what happened back in the day.
William Spencer is a peddler who was asked by a runaway slave to steal his brother and sister. They met when William was helping runaway slaves get to Canada. He drove to Winchester, Kentucky in a wagon that was specially made with a false bottom to hide slaves. He was told to find a blacksmith to help William find the right farm. William also got help from Miss Delight. She helped William by cooking food and navigating in the woods.
The genre of this book is historical fiction. Kids would enjoy reading this book because they can learn about the history of slavery. This book is educational because it shows the cruelty of slavery. The favorite part of the book for me was when William reunites James, Susannah, and Miss Delight with their family. The author took a long time to get to parts of the story but I enjoyed reading about the struggles of the slaves fighting for freedom. I couldn't put the book down after I got into it.
People who would not like this book would be someone who is for slavery and does not like to learn about the history of the United States. Another reason why people may not like this book is because of the historical fiction is it.
In conclusion, I recommend this book because I enjoy historical fiction books. The book was well written and gave an accurate description of what happened back in the day.
April 14, 2014
It is a fiction. A very good book if you want to relax your mind.
Describes the life of William Spencer and the adventures that he faces through his journey. A story of the 1850' and the underground railroad!
Will helps slaves to escape, that is basically his job. But his journey begins the moment that he decides to leave his home and start his own life. On his way to discover himself and meet the request of adultness he meets Noah. Noah is going to ask Will to save his family, go all the way to the south and help them escape. Will excepts this new challenge and starts another journey and he starts to plan accordingly to his plan. During his whole adventure he will understand that not everything is easy, not everyone is nice, he will fail in love, he will find people to help him succeeded his plan and difficulties which will keep him some steps behind.
Even though I don't like fictions,I really enjoyed reading this book. I would defiantly recommended as it can teach you a lot for those days.
Describes the life of William Spencer and the adventures that he faces through his journey. A story of the 1850' and the underground railroad!
Will helps slaves to escape, that is basically his job. But his journey begins the moment that he decides to leave his home and start his own life. On his way to discover himself and meet the request of adultness he meets Noah. Noah is going to ask Will to save his family, go all the way to the south and help them escape. Will excepts this new challenge and starts another journey and he starts to plan accordingly to his plan. During his whole adventure he will understand that not everything is easy, not everyone is nice, he will fail in love, he will find people to help him succeeded his plan and difficulties which will keep him some steps behind.
Even though I don't like fictions,I really enjoyed reading this book. I would defiantly recommended as it can teach you a lot for those days.
June 1, 2015
Stealing South: A Story of the Underground Railroad by Katherine Ayres is about this boy named Will who, with his family, helps runaway slaves escape their slave conditions in the South and move north. Will decides that he would rather pursue his own dreams of gaining wealth by moving North and becoming a peddler. His plans are interrupted tho when a runaway slave asks Will to help free his brother from a life of slavery on a cotton farm.
I thought this book was okay. I wish the book could of been a little bit shorter when they were escaping to the North instead they dragged it out for like 20 pages. I like the historical aspect of the time period and how real the characters and setting seemed. Also I didn't like how the book cussed all the time and the sometimes author the could be very graphic at times. I thought the author did a nice job of painting the scene of 1850’s time period. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a historical fiction tale of courage. Otherwise the book was not bad.
I thought this book was okay. I wish the book could of been a little bit shorter when they were escaping to the North instead they dragged it out for like 20 pages. I like the historical aspect of the time period and how real the characters and setting seemed. Also I didn't like how the book cussed all the time and the sometimes author the could be very graphic at times. I thought the author did a nice job of painting the scene of 1850’s time period. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a historical fiction tale of courage. Otherwise the book was not bad.
October 7, 2014
Personally, I was not a huge fan of this book. I don't think it had very many powerful words or scenes that would catch your attention. It was also very old fashioned, so it wasn't really my type of book.
This book is about the life of a boy living in the south at the time period with slaves. The boy encounters many new people along his journey, and he helps them out significantly. He even gets a lady friend to hang out with.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a big fan of history novels. I was not a fan, but that is just me and I am sure other people would want to read this book. Overall, I thought it was okay.
This book is about the life of a boy living in the south at the time period with slaves. The boy encounters many new people along his journey, and he helps them out significantly. He even gets a lady friend to hang out with.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a big fan of history novels. I was not a fan, but that is just me and I am sure other people would want to read this book. Overall, I thought it was okay.
November 13, 2009
Not feeling so great today, so opted for a nice morning of reading (and watching devin play). While this book wasn't quite as good as "North by Night" it was still very interesting and had a great plot. You really get an honest to goodness feel for the everyday lives of people in this era, and their concerns and emotions, without the hang-over-your-head lecture tone that so many historical fiction books have. These two books really bring history alive without getting bogged down by it.
September 16, 2014
This historical book about the underground railroad in the 1850's was an interesting read about one of the ways slaves were helped to escape the south. Katherine Ayres did a good job of bring the characters to life especially the main character William Spencer.
February 26, 2025
This book is a perfect piece of historical fiction with wonderful characters and a moving storyline. Definetly something I'd reccomend to someone interested in the history of the underground railroad.
Read
March 26, 2008Companion to "North by Night." Underground Railroad
Read
February 1, 2010Reading level 4.5
September 13, 2012
Junior fiction story about Will Spencer, fledgling peddler who turns to hauling people instead of goods.
April 5, 2015
Underground Railroad
Read
April 13, 2015It was a good book. Lots of twists and turns to the plot that make it interesting.
February 1, 2016
Used for a 5th grade Historical Fiction unit.
March 20, 2016
This was a very good book. Geared toward young adults, it is a tale of a young man full of convictions, whose made it a point to assist slaves in reaching freedom.
May 19, 2017
Is book is about history it's about a guy named Spencer's that takes people to e under ground rail road and on his way to doing that he stubbles upon sheriffs
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews