history smashers the underground railroad

'A history book for middle-graders that should be on everyone's (child and adult) to-read list.' - Shelf Awareness “Messner and Meconis provide a timely perspective on an important part of American history.” - School Library Journal 'Well-researched, entertaining, and packed with facts.' - Booklist 'The book’s format may be a good match for those with shorter attention spans, and permits it to be gratifyingly capacious in what it covers.' - New York Times Book Review And though initially I wondered if 'freedom seekers' might be kind of clunky, I actually think it worked really well as a substitute.'Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children.' - Kirkus Reviews, starred review (Ex: I really love the way the book refused to use the words 'fugitives' or 'runaways', because it makes enslaved people sound like rule-breaking troublemakers rather than people determined to live free like they deserve. I definitely think that's not the tone of the book! it just stood out to me in a book where the overall language is so thoughtful. There were a couple little things in this book I wish had been done / worded differently - like, I wish the repeated emphasis on how brave and clever enslaved people had to be to escape (which is very true!) was followed up with some acknowledgment that not escaping didn't mean you weren't smart or brave or determined enough.

That definitely makes sense, but you probably wouldn't know it from most textbooks!

And I really appreciate that the authors will point out that even though there might not be a written record of one of these stories, that doesn't mean it didn't happen, and will use it as an opportunity to talk about the vital role of oral and family history for African Americans.Īnd I can't believe I never learned (well, I can) that the majority of people who risked themselves helping Black people get to freedom were other Black people. I loved the way this one covered not just the misconceptions about the Underground Railroad, but abolition itself.

And the format is really well-done and engaging: lots of images and graphics and quotations, all laid out in a way that is easy to follow and very interesting.

I love this nonfiction series! Accessible for young readers but not condescending, and still plenty to learn for adults as well.

History smashers the underground railroad