Two Tickets to Freedom: The True Story of Ellen and William Craft, Fugitive Slaves

by Florence B. Freedman, Ezra Jack Keats (Illustrator)

Traces the search for freedom by a Black man and his wife who traveled to Boston and eventually to England after their escape from slavery in Georgia

Genres: Nonfiction, Historical, Biography, Childrens, Chapter Books

Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Mr. Kovach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love to read short biographies about notable figures in history and quite enjoyed this book. It tells the story of two slaves who executed a daring and ingenious escape from their owners and went on to lead productive and inspiring lives. They should be most famous for the good work they did after escaping slavery, but in fact they are most remembered for how they escaped. It is a very interesting tale and I recommend this book. The reason I like short biographies so much is that you get a good idea about the person without having to commit to a giant biography. Then you can read those giant biographies (which can also be very good) only about the people in whom you are the most interested.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was written in 1971 and is geared for upper elementary grade level readers or older. Chronicles the experiences that William and Ellen Craft have to endure as slaves in Georgia in the 1840's and as they search for freedom. Should be very thought-provoking and generate great classroom discussion.

[Ms. Mielke's Class Make sure you post how your sheets tell you to!!!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good biography book and would read it again. It is about two slaves who go to georgia to become free. I thought the best part in the book was when the ticket teller didn't say anything even though he knew they were slaves. I would recommend this book to people who like biography or books about history. RA

[Amy Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so amazing and emotional . I loved how these two authors put so much dialogue and effort in this book . They are great authors ! I really hope one day I get to be as great as they are .

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story, succinctly told. Both my seven year-old daughter and I loved it.

[Joey M · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts with two people, Ellen Craft, and a light skinned boy slave named William. Don’t let the 96 pages fool you, it’s a pretty challenging book to read but is a very good book also. Ellen and William went to the train station and asked for two train tickets. Ellen didn't think she would get the tickets but she did. The person said that Ellen's and Williams seats were in car 1 and William would sit in the last car with all the others. Now their journey begins. It ends in either death or freedom.
When Ellen and William got to Richmond they got on another train to go to Baltimore. When they got to Baltimore they got on another train but before they could leave an officer took them to a short "court" session to prove that Ellen had legal ownership over William. But since it looked like Ellen was hurt the "Judge" let Ellen and William go and get on the train. Now they are off to the last few "Big Steps."
After they got on the train they eventually got to a stop and had to get on a ferry until it got to the train station. William thought there wasn't anymore stopping in between Baltimore and their stop. So William took a nap. There was actually one more stop between. The train had stopped to aboard the passengers onto a ferry and take them some distance. William was still sleeping and nobody woke him up.
When they got to their destination, they went to a courthouse to get married since before slavery they were married and had to get divorced. The courthouse made them go through A BUNCH to get married but they got married and lived in peace and never got caught and put back in slavery:). The journey could of ended in either DEATH OR FREEDOM and it ended in FREEDOM!

[Matt Wisdom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes the phenomenal true story of William and Ellen Craft. William, a slave, was sold away from his sister at a slave auction. This event put him under the same slave owner as Ellen, who had been given to this household as a gift. While the two vowed to never be married, for fear of being separated, love eventually overcame them and they requested to be put into the same house on the plantation as husband and wife. The two eventually devise a plan to escape to the north together. To do this, Ellen must pose as a white slave owner and William must pose as the manservant. This journey brings them many wild twists, turns and perils.
This book is filled with tons of factual information to help the reader understand the world in which this miraculous true story took place in. The author, however, does a great job at making it feel natural to the flow of the story. This story is filled with ups, down, traps and escapes. The witty couple always manages to stay just one step in front of those who seek to take them back to their enslavement in the south. However, more often than not, their escapes are far too narrow for anyone’s comfort. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this time in history or anyone who enjoys a good roller coaster ride in book form. The fact that this story really happened makes it truly incredible.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of action and complex characters


The book I’m reading called Two Tickets To Freedom is a biography written by Florence B. Freedman. This book is 96 pages but don’t be fooled by how short it’s because it's a little challenging to read. A boy named William is born into slavery when he gets older him and his sister are sold at auction to different slave owners. Williams slave owner realized that William was good at cabinetmaking so that’s what William did. On the other hand a girl named Ellen was also born into slavery never really was yelled at because she worked as a maid. From the day they met they had the devious plan to get to freedom. The setting of the book is mostly outside because that’s were the main parts happen.


I think that other readers would enjoy this book because it’s a very interesting book about slaves and would go great with black history month. I really enjoyed this book because it taught me a lot of things that I didn’t know about slavery. I also liked this book because it was really interesting all throughout the book there was no boring moments in the book. I think that all ages would like this book. I like the author's writing style because it’s very engaging and makes you want to read more. I would describe this book as information because it gives a lot of info on slaves and slavery. I think the best part of the book is the end because the author leaves us with a cliffhanger that makes me want to read more.

[Michael Fleetwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes the harrowing true story of William and Ellen Craft. The two were slaves at the same plantation. They devised a plan to escape to the North together. The light skinned Ellen, would pose as a white slave owner and William would be her slave. Ellen and William went to the train station and asked for two train tickets. Ellen didn't think that she would be able to get the train tickets, but she did. This journey brings them all of the twists and turns of a modern action movie.
The book is filled with tons of factual information related to the time period in which this story took place. The author does a great job of of making the information feel natural to the flow of the story. The story is filled with ups and downs, traps and escapes. The clever couple is always able to stay one step ahead of those who wish to take them back to enslavement in the South. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this time period in history and anyone who enjoys a good roller coaster ride in book form. The fact that this is a true story makes it truly incredible.

[Rajat TWIT · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book of less than 100 pages, this book is a courageous story of a couple who fought against slavery at a time when America was in mid of their civil war over Slavery. The content of the book is a tale of extraordinary bravery of two individuals who later became icons, and inspiration for many other slaves.
The book starts with excellent read and captures your imagination, but unfortunately after the couple reach Boston, the writer lost the tracks and suddenly the language became different. Author must have his reasons to do so but it suddenly makes it tough for readers. The last few pages looked like an attempt to wrap up the story quickly, which sort of spoils the whole ending for a reader with expectations.
But for the sake of their courage, to know the dark side of human history and an unparalleled tale of determination, a reader must go for this book.

[Haley Whitehall · Rating 1 out of 5]

The true story this book is based upon is fascinating. I commend Ellen and William Craft for their courage and ingenuity to escape to freedom. However, this children's story is written poorly. There is a lot of telling and I never felt close to either Ellen or William. I never want to be narrated to when reading a book even a book for children. I want to feel a part of the action, a part of the journey.

[Barbara Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellen and William Craft, born into slavery, escape to the north and eventually England several years before the American Civil War.

This tale details how they escaped. It also describes the people who helped them along the way, and highlights some specific moments in the Abolitionist movement.

I found the casual depictions of attitudes toward slaves quite striking.

[Tammy Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two TIckets to Freedom by Florence B. Freedman is a true story about William and Ellen Craft a that were known as Fugitive Slaves. And how Ellen Craft a light- skinned young slave disguised herself in men's clothing and walked into the train station at Macon, Georgia. She did this in order to get freedom for herself and her husband. This a great book to teach doing Black History Month.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

THis book was a good read, really depicting the life of wo slaves' trip to England and back. between love, near dath encounters ELlen and WIlliam Craft find the strength they need to survive through refugee.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ending stories are always a relief. Another book about the injustices of slavery and the absurdity of reasons for it, the character of those in favor, as well as those opposed, and the latter's willingness to risk their own lives to help the oppressed.

[Esteban Caropresi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a inspirational story about William and Ellen Craft. They went on a crazy adventure. Its either death or freedom. They didn't care they wanted to escape. There story is really cool and dangerous.

[Aimée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on an amazing true story of a light-skinned female slave and her dark-skinned husband escaping to Canada. She "passes" as a white male traveling with his slave. Amazing story...

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story...not written well

[Yeon Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There wasn't a character who made mistakes. Also, their mistake was so few that I couldn't even notice it.

[Aifa Radzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice short biographies about the escape of a slave couple and obstacles they braved after escaping. The most interesting part would be their genius escape plan.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, fast, and easy read. Very educational. I read this book with my class and we all enjoyed it!

[Stacy Stoker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an amazing story if two slaves' escape to freedom and their later accomplishments in life. I only wish the writing would have been better.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was amazing! If you liked Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, this is the book for you.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about an important topic. This book is inspirational.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the books I read as a kid that was probably a contributing factor to my fascination with human injustice

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay this was slightly confusing at times- but my biggest bone to pick were the fucking pictures that looked like a child drew them. We’re talking like charcoal scratched images with people that looked like they had either 3 or 14 legs.
Edit: I apologize- the illustrator actually has some good books- including some that I read throughout my childhood lol

2.5 stars rounded up

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020 PopSugar Summer Reading Challenge - A book about Black history in America

[Kassendra Paulk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read and it explains their journey to freedom. It is kid friendly as it doesn't include any gorey details about some of the brutal things that they may have endured or seen.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a remarkable story of two of the brave souls who escaped from slavery. Now I really want to read Master Slave Husband Wife.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Macon, Georgia, William and Ellen Craft are slaves. Eight days before Christmas 1848, William devises a daring plan for escape. Ellen is light skinned and can pass for white. She disguises herself as a sickly aristocratic young man with William as her servant. Ellen known as "Mr. Johnson" buys tickets for Savannah. From Savannah, they take a steamer to Charleston, South Carolina, and then travel north. They eventually make their way to Boston where the abolitionist movement is so strong that all runaway slaves are protected from capture. Then, on September 18, 1850, President Millard Fillmore signs the Fugitive Slave Act which requires that all runaway slaves be returned to their owners. The Crafts travel to England hoping they can return home some day.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com