Secret Signs

by Anita Riggio

When slave catchers prevent Luke's mother from selling sugar eggs at the general store as she usually does, the boy, who communicates through sign language, must find the courage and means to deliver the information about a new hiding place for runaway slaves.

(From School Library Journal)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Picture Books

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Anita Riggio was raised in Clifton, New Jersey, and holds a degree in theater from the University of Hartford. She says that as a child she entertained thoughts of becoming a detective, a reporter, an actress, a director and an artist. And today, as a children's book author and illustrator, an art instructor, a wife, and a mother of two children, Ms. Riggio says she gets to do most of those things. She has illustrated Beethoven's Cat and Wiggie Wins the West, both by Elisabet McHugh. Her first picture book, Wake Up, William!, was published by Atheneum in 1987. Ms. Riggio lives in Wethersfield, Connecticut, with her family.

Ms. Riggio is the author and illustrator of Smack Dab in the Middle, Beware the Brindlebeast, Secret Signs, A Moon in My Teacup, Gert & Freida, and Wake Up William! as well as illustrator of The Whispering Cloth, Coal Mine Peaches, Dad Gummit & Ma Foot, and other picture books. Her story "Bingo" appears Such a Pretty Face, a collection of short stories on beauty for young adults.

Anita's highly acclaimed Coveside Writing Workshops are offered annually in the fall. Additionally, Anita offers individual mentoring packages. Information may be found at www.covesidewritingworkshop.com. Anita is a faculty mentor in the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Lesley University.

Anita Riggio is the founder and producer of Fat Chance Production Group, LLC which develops and produces musical theatre. She is currently collaborating as writer and lyricist with A-list composer, Larry Farrow on Brind!ebeast, a radically inclusive, classically scored, new American musical.

Reviews

[Congetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if this story is accurate, but I really enjoyed reading it and learning about how secret signs were used in the U.S.'s early history. This is also a great book to read with someone who uses sign language to communicate. It had suspense and I liked how art and sign language were used to convey important information right in front of others. I also liked most of the illustrations especially the painting of the boy and man on the wagon in the woods.

I recommend this story and book wholeheartedly.

[Lauren Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that the book showcased a handiable character making a difference for runaway slaves as part of the underground railroad.

[Paige Cedergreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal Reaction: I liked how this book broke down a complicated concept such as the Underground Railroad into a much simpler concept that would be easy for younger children to grasp. The detailed and colorful pictures enhance the story and support it's message, that it is important to be brave even when being brave is difficult in that situation.


This book has really colorful illustrations and the language is strong for the first through third grade age range. Particularly the vocabulary is very diverse which would stimulate language development, however the figurative language is not as strong. This book uses alliteration as most of the only figurative language I could detect but uses strong vocabulary that would be good to introduce to this age range. Some of this word choice includes: shawl, clamped, glimmering, etc. The illustrations seem to be done in acrylics because of the bright shades of each color, there is also a good use of space within the pages. I would read aloud this story for enjoyment as well as using it as a simpler way of introducing topics such as the underground railroad to younger age groups.

[Caycee Hatchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal Reaction: I really liked this book. I thought it was a really good portrayal of a historical topic that students would be able to understand

I would read this book to students in first, second, or third grade. I would read this story to introduce the topic of the Underground Railroad because the author breaks it down in simpler terms for children to understand. There wasn't much figurative language in the book but there were a few examples of imagery: "Shimmering stream", "rolling green hills". The use of challenging vocab words was more prevalent than figurative language, and in first grade, especially, it would help with language development. some of the strong vocabulary words used were: "clamped, glimmering, trembling.."The illustrations were on one page and the text was on the other but the illustrations were a good representation of what was happening in the story. The colors were brighter when focused on the main character and they tended to be darker when they were focused on the antagonist.

[Mackenzie Sipes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reaction: I thought this story was very different. I really enjoyed they included a deaf character which is rarely ever seen. I think the story touches on some real tough issues to teach which is also good.

Purpose:

Curriculum: I think this book would be good for all children in elementary school as a story that teaches about the Underground Railroad. It is sensitive enough to not include the harsh realities but still shows it was a very serious matter.

Read Aloud: I think this book creates good discussion about diversity. The book includes a deaf character which children may or may not know what that is. It is a type a character or person they may not be exposed to so it can create discussion. The pictures also have good facial expression for the children to help the children what is going on. They can follow the story better.

[Maria Armenta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke, who is deaf, paints scenes on paper to insert into the sugar eggs he and Mama sell as novelties at the general store, but they are interrupted by a pair of wild-eyed slave catchers who burst into their house. They detain Mama but allow Luke to take the eggs to town, where he intends to pass along information about a safe haven to a contact on the Underground Railroad.

This is such a good book that ties in Deaf culture and African American History. Also, this book can be used when discussing the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. The teacher can then have students come up with their own signs.

[Kathy MacMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the mid-1800s, Luke and his mother help support themselves by making panoramic eggs of maple sugar. When a man bursts into their home and accuses them of hiding slaves, Luke’s mother denies the charges–although she is planning to meet her contact on the Underground Railroad that very day. With his mother held at home, Luke, who is deaf, must use his resources and creative talents to help make the connection.

[Liliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can be used when discussing the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. The teacher can then have students come up with their own signs.