Bright Freedom's Song: A Story of the Underground Railroad

by Gloria Houston

Bright Cameron has always been taught that freedom is a person's most precious right. After all, Papa came to America as a poor indentured worker from Scotland and he toiled for years until his friend Marcus, a slave, helped him to freedom. But for Bright, slavery has always been something she has only heard about. Then she discovers that Mama and Papa are hiding runaway slaves in a hidden compartment of Papa's wagon and boarding them in the barn. Soon Bright, too, becomes involved in her family's secret world. One night, when Papa falls ill, Bright discovers how dear freedom truly is--and what price it exacts from those who must struggle for it.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade

145 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Gloria Houston was a teacher and a native of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Ms. Houston taught students of all ages. Ms. Houston wrote several books for children, including the best-selling My Great-Aunt Arizona, illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb; The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, illustrated by Barbara Cooney; and LittleJim. She lived in Asheville, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Kevin sawadogo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story “Bright Freedom Song” is a very interesting story written by Gloria Houston. This story is about a white girl named Bright. As Bright grew up, she found out that her family helps free slaves and that her father is the one who drives them. Bright also decided to help her family by making food for the slaves. When Bright was 16, she wanted to take her father’s place in the business. At the end of the story Bright and Marcus both went to free slaves. I like this story because it talks a lot about the Underground Railroad and how some white people treated black people well. I advice everyone to read this book because of the great vocabulary.

[Suzanne Mosley (Suzanne Shares) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book! My youngest and I are reading it together for school. Bright is a 14 year old girl whose family is a stop on the Underground Railroad. Bright’s father was kidnapped from Scotland, sold into slavery and taken on a slave ship to the Americas. Because he was white, he became an indentured servant rather than a slave. Under his master, he was not granted his freedom after 10 years of labor as promised. He escaped with the help of the Master’s slave, Marcus (shown here in the cover). After he was married and because of his days being owned by someone else, he worked to help a myriad of slaves escape to the north, including Marcus years later. Bright accidentally discovered her parent’s work and became a part of the work with the Underground Railroad.

So thankful for the opportunity to read this book with my 10 year old even though the context of the book is greatly difficult—difficult but necessary. There are moments that are excruciating to read, heartbreaking. Again, difficult but necessary. I wholeheartedly commend this book. Grateful for the author’s research that culminated in this book.

[Priscilla Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy YA historical fiction and was glad to find a new (to me) author. Houston's premise, based on her own family history and stories as well as her common sense leads her to believe that formerly enslaved Scots Irish people living in the Appalachian mountains were almost certainly involved in assisting Blacks running from slavery. In this novel she tells how it might have been. She also provides resources for those who might like to take up where she has begun.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's book not only provides insight into slavery and the Underground Railroad, but also talks about indentured servants and how they were treated in the early days of America.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 5-8 141pgs

1861 in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Bright has always been good at keeping secrets about all the strangers that pass through her family's house. Over the years, she has gradually learned that her family is part of the Underground Railroad helping people on their journey to freedom. She also learns that her father was kidnapped as a child from his home in Scotland and tricked into becoming an indentured servant. He worked on a farm alongside slaves and eventually escaped. Ever since, he has worked to become free too. Now that she is 14, Bright feels that she is old enough to take a more active role than peeling potatoes (which her mother always tells her is an important part too), but how can she convince her father?

An interesting story about the Underground Railroad and indentured servitude. Recommended for readers interested in the Underground railroad.

[Carl Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this out at the library because it looked like a good conversation piece to share with my 9 year old daughter, and after going through it once I'm glad I did. It's a short, straightforward story to read but has many jumping off points to think and discuss about race, slavery, privilege, friendship, secrecy, risk, and the conflicts leading up to the Civil War. I look forward to re-reading it with her.

[Leah Good · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright still remembers the fright she got from finding human eyes peering at her from inside the henhouse. Those eyes belonged to her father’s friend Marcus, an escaped slave who helps on the Underground Railroad. As Bright gets involved in her parent’s Underground Railroad station, she begins to learn just how important freedom is.

[Harle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I need to re-read this...

[Dawn]

Now, this is a good book.