Steal Away

by Jennifer Armstrong

Two girls, one black, the other white, flee from the South to the North in a novel set during the Civil War. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Civil War

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

About the author

Jennifer Armstrong learned to read and write in Switzerland, in a small school for English speaking children on the shores of Lake Zurich. The school library had no librarian and no catalog – just shelves of interesting books. She selected books on her own, read what she could, and made up the rest. It was perfect. As a result, she made her career choice – to become an author – in first grade. When she and her family returned to the U.S. she discovered that not all children wrote stories and read books, and that not all teachers thought reading real books was important. Nevertheless, she was undaunted. Within a year of leaving college she was a free-lance ghost writer for a popular juvenile book series, and before long published her first trade novel, Steal Away, which won her a Golden Kite Honor for fiction.

More than fifty additional novels and picture books followed, and before long she also tried her hand at nonfiction, winning an Orbis Pictus Award and a Horn Book Honor for her first nonfiction book, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World. In late 2003 she will travel to the South Pole with the National Science Foundation to do research for a book on ice.

Reviews

[Kammera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strong message on the immorality of slavery. Two young girls, 13 and 14 are bound together as friends forever. The story begins in the future and goes back and forth in time as the now two old women are penning their life story.As Susannah's parents die, she is shipped to her Uncle's farm in Virginia and presented a slave of her own,to her utter dismay. Enter Bethlehem,the slave girl. They tentatively become bound together as Susannah plots to run away back North where she has determined to free Bethlehem forever. Fast forward again,and Susannah's granddaughter Mary who is writing down the memories must come to grips with her notions of equality in her "modern day" world of New York City. Readers see how Mary must truly expand her horizons and thinking. Didn't really like the ending, however. I like the message and hope to use this book as a small group read for literature circles.

[Kaylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good. I would recommend this if you like slavery. It is about an orphan and her slave. The orphan helps the slave get away and she goes along to. The book is Historical Fiction and very good.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1992 this vintage YA book of two girls who ran away to the north in 1855 is everything I would have loved to read as a girl. An orphan, friendship, an escape, a desperate medical situation in the woods, and a hint of a love story. Lots of scripture is quoted as well as hints of the deeper meanings of freedom, and friendship. My boys would be less than thrilled but I can imagine a girl loving it. There is one boy who is clearly angling for a sexual relationship with one of the girls but there isn't even a kiss and it is very veiled. I knew exactly what was going on but depending on your life experiences at 12 (the target age) you'd think of it as bullying.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Steal Away for a book group in middle school, so when I spotted it at a thrift store, I decided to buy it and read it again. Now, I liked it when I read it the first time, but I LOVED it the second time! The format is creative and helps readers view racism from different perspectives. There's Susannah, an northerner who is against slavery, but doesn't completely understand it. There's Bethelhem, the slave, who is the more mature of the two. And there's Mary, Susannah's granddaughter who tells her own story many years later. What's really great about this book is that we can see how even after the Civil War, racism exists despite the end of slavery. I know this now, of course, but in middle school I was more naive, as I assume most young readers are.

Another great thing about this novel is how it pushes boundaries enough so young readers can understand the severity of the story, but it's not to the point where you think it's inappropriate. It also moves quickly enough to satisfy the attention span of middle schoolers, unlike a lot of other historical fiction novels.

I'm so happy I found this book and could read it again!

[Miss Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

gr 5-8 206 pgs

alternates between 1896 and 1855, 13 year old Susannah is horrified when she is orphaned and sent South to live with her slave-owning relatives. She is determined to return home to Vermont. 13 year old Bethlehem, a slave, is also determined to leave, so that she escape North to freedom.

I didn't like Susannah and found the alternating between the story of their escape in 1855 and their retelling the story to Mary and Free in 1896 disruptive.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's something about the way the characters are written in Steal Away that kept me at a distance from them. It's an interesting story, but I couldn't get emotionally involved in it like you do with a really good book. I finished it feeling that I had missed something important (especially regarding Bethlehem). Two stars.

[Diane Carrozzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful book! It has been in my classroom library for years and I finally read it. I'm surprised it hasn't been used by schools to teach not only literature but about the history of running away from slavery too. The human feelings and event descriptions were so genuine that an honest reader couldn't help but identify with one of the characters. I recommend it highly!

[Soul Stealing~ Come and Play on the Dark Side ginger · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm in eighth grade and in the highest level reader In my class but I got so confused about what was happening. I couldn't even remember who each person was by the end.

[Danica Fehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steal Away
206 pages
Jennifer Armstrong
1992
Orchard Books
Historical fiction
0-531-05983-9
$15.95

Steal Away is a historical fiction book by Jennifer Armstrong about two young girls who run away from a farm in the South to live free in the North during the Civil War and then 41 years later tell their story to two other very similar girls. Susannah was an orphan brought to a farm in Virginia by her Uncle after her parents had died outside of her old home in Vermont. Bethlehem was a slave at the farm who was given to Susannah by her cousin. At first, the two of them were unsure of each other, but soon they began to gain trust in one another when Susannah started teaching Bethlehem how to read. They both hated the farm and wanted to leave it extremely bad, so they made a plan. They left early in the morning and began traveling towards Vermont. They had to overcome some obstacles to get to where they were going. Many years later they decided to tell their story to Mary, Susannah’s granddaughter, and Free, the child Bethlehem is taking care of, which helps the two girls bond and form a friendship.

I enjoyed this book because it was very entertaining to read and helped me understand what life was like for people during slavery and the different opinions people had about slavery.

I rated this book 4 stars because it was pleasant and very understandable. I could picture the scenes of this book in my head like a movie because I could picture the characters' experiences and how they felt.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about slavery and how slaves were treated and to anyone who likes stories about friendship and adventure because in the book Bethlehem is trying to escape a farm where she is a slave and she does this with Susannah, who becomes friends with Bethlehem as they venture North to Vermont.

Some books I would recommend are Hattie Big Sky because it has to do with a girl making a home for herself while there is a war going on, and Letters from Rafika because it has to do with a girl trying to survive during a war and she was left to do it alone without her family, and Concrete Rose because it is about a person’s experience as an African American and how they are treated.

[Carlos Lucio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steal Away is a historical fiction book by the author Jennifer Armstrong. This book is about an orphan girl named Susannah and a slave named Bethlehem. Susannah’s parents died and she had to move in with her uncle. She used to live in Vermont which was a free state of slaves. But had to move to Virginia, which had slaves. At Virginia, her uncle gave her a slave, which was Bethlehem. In the scenario, it was like a “what the heck” moment for Susannah because they didn’t have slaves back where she lived. They both struggled throughout their lives until they finally made the perfect plan of how they could get their freedom and make it to their “Promise Land”. It’s now the present, 1896, and Susannah was still living in Vermont and has received a letter from her long lost friend Bethlehem who lived in Toronto. Susannah and her granddaughter go visit her and that’s when Bethlehem and Susannah tell their granddaughters of the story of how they got their freedom.
In my opinion, because I thought it was an okay book. Although I loved how Beth and Susannah had a great bond throughout their adventure, there was still many unanswered questions. Like who is Julia in the letter that is written at the end? It made it very confusing for me at the end. I guess that’s why I gave it 3 stars because the ending really made the book confusing.
I would recommend this book because the story structure is very unique. There is like two stories in one. In the present time, 1896, how Susannah could’ve made better decisions that could’ve helped her friend Beth. But what I really liked about the book is the friendship between Susannah and Beth because even though they had a very rough beginning, they learned how to become very good friends. Their friendship is powerful and heartbreaking to the last.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a rather confusing book to read. Because it constantly flips back between 1855 and 1896, it's almost the only book I've ever read that would work better as a screenplay than a book.

The basic story of white orphan and black slave--both 13-year-old girls--running away together is already unbelievable to start with. Put them together forty years later to collaborate on dictating their memories to two young girls (one of whom somehow manages to scribble it all down on paper as they speak)--in what universe does that actually happen? Historical fiction is supposed to be a credible story of what really could have happened, possibly based on actual accounts. Given the times in both the 1850s and the 1890s, this story is too unrealistic.

One of the premises of writing a good novel is that the main characters grow and develop into better people. Unfortunately, Susannah and Bethlehem are still as prickly with each other in their 50s as they were in their teens. The girls, Susannah's granddaughter-scribe Mary and Bethlehem's caregiver Free, don't have time to develop any kind of friendship of their own, so their relationship is also testy.

If you want a good book describing a growing-and-learning relationship between a privileged white girl and a black slave girl, this is NOT it. To be honest, I'm not sure one exists.

[Lydia Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not recommend reading this book. *WARNING!!! MAJOR SPOILERS!*

Pretty much the whole thing was a story of two young girls who weren't very nice to each other but wanted to escape Virginia. It was a sad, dismal story and they still aren't wonderful friends in the future and in the end of the book, they write their escape story down and one of them dies. That's the end. There was nothing happy about this story at all, nothing. Any no one was nice to each other in that book. They were all unhappy and prickly towards each other.

I did not like this book.

[Barbara Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this short novel for young readers, particularly after Susannah and Bethlehem left Virginia. Susannah was annoying at times, but most books about girls of that time period describe them as silly like Susannah, so her character was probably realistic. The Quakers were a blessing to the girls, saved their lives. What I didn’t like was the picture on the cover of the paperback. Someone didn’t read the book before painting the picture. Neither girl had long hair, they were trying to pass as boys.

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thsi book was super good it was kinda about slavery and how these two girls ran away and one of the girls had lived on a plantation once she ran away she got in trouble an the got sent to a planatation. And the other girl is a slave. They both ran off and then one day they found eachother in the woods and then they got to know eachother and they figured out they where going to the same place so they became best freinds.

[E.G. Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another childhood reread I've been working through lately. This one was never my favorite, and that hasn't changed after reading it again, but it is a solid little story with good moral themes. Overall, I just wish that there was more. More character development, more exploration of the themes, and more character growth shown in the time between the flashbacks and the present time. However, it is a middle-grade book, and for a story meant to be thought-provoking and interesting, it succeeded.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book from multiple perspectives -- mostly a young slave girl and an orphaned, discontented white girl recently transplanted to the South. Together they run away from their lives and gradually develop a life-long friendship. The story is told as the two, now old women, reunite at one of their deathbeds, with a granddaughter documenting the story as they tell it.

[martyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book, it was a beautiful story, but the letter at the end got me confused. Like, who even is Julia?? And Grandma F.??

Maybe it was Free and Julia was her granddaughter? Would that make sense?
The letter was the most confusing thing in the whole novel.

[Jane Neumann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a white person focused narrative even though she alternates between the voices of the two main characters. But not evenly. A strand of white savior in the whole thing as well. Definitely a youth audience based on its brevity and widely spaced type.

[Jasmine Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent book. I found it in a little free library box at the park. Yes, it's for children, but the story is so good that it should be read by adults too. 10/10 would be banned in FL. Make your kids read this book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, poignant story of courage, strength, friendship and faith. ( One instance of profaning God's name by a drunk man)

[TMB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never mind the proposed age range; let this book surprise you with its depths. I will miss these characters for awhile to come.

[Matthew]

i want to read it

[Emily Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic, flawed characters, good discussion of racism.

[Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

IS HOME MORE THAN JUST A PLACE?

This book is frankly hard to put down, for Armstrong weaves a
compelling story of interracial relationships—a tale within a tale, in fact. Spanning three generations and alternating Time between 1855 (when slavery was a grim reality) and 1896 STEAL AWAY presents readers with a literary device w known as Shared Narrative, so that each girl has the opportunity to offer a personal account of her flight from Virginia to a new life up North.

Both their contemporary counterparts, Mary and Free, are captivated, as the elderly women whom each one loves and respects recount the details of their 40-year old odyssey. As the girls share their writing-down task, they marvel at the pages which are truthfully dictated—the seal of the older women’s lifelong devotion. Will two strange girls be able to bond, by the mere act of the Retelling of the harrowing journey—for it was a both a physical challenge and an emotional commitment: to reach freedom and find a new, safe place to call Home.

Thirteen-year-old Susannah is suddenly orphaned and forced to leave the family farm in Vermont, with all its precious memories of her parents, the boy next door and her carefree existence. She must travel by train (an ordeal in itself) all the way down to a new life in Virginia, to the farm of her Reverend uncle, who firmly believes in the institution of slavery. But Susannah will never fit into this genteel Southern society; she does not even know how to treat or address her new personal slave.

Longing to put plantation life and its immoral abuse of dark-skinned human beings behind her forever, spunky Susannah resolves to run away and sneak back to the only home she has ever known. But she needs the help of more worldly-wise Bethlehem, to prepare for this dangerous enterprise. Then unexpected circumstances suddenly force both girls to depart abruptly together, with a minimum of preparation. Beth longs for Canada--a safe place on a map where slavery is prohibited. Would she feel truly safe in Vermont? Susannah has also broken the law by teaching Beth to read, and now is helping a slave escape its rightful owner.

Can two young girls disappear without a trace in an adult world of harsh realities--even disguised as boys? Will there be anyone whom they can trust on this perilous undertaking. What do they actually know of the Underground railroad? Their relationship undergoes many transformations as Susannah becomes increasingly dependent on her pessimist little companion for their mutual survival. A truly gripping tale which will captivate readers by its raw emotions and dangerous conflict.

(October 23, 2012. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bethlehem a slave and Susannah endure a dangerous journey together. Their journey is to achieve reaching up north where there is freedom. Savannah's plan to escape the southern plantation is a hazardous risks that could jeopardize both of their lives. Though the help of each other and the bond of their friendship could help save them, and help them reach their goals.

The strength the two girls had was admirable that they were able to stick together being aware of the risks that were at hand if they got caught. I think this book is very good and enjoyable. This book was interesting in the aspect of including historical fiction. I really liked how history was a part of this book because the book informed me of the life on the plantation and how the experience was for an African American.

Throughout the novel Susannah and Bethlehem make risky decisions that could later have a good outcome in their futures. Especially Bethlehem because she will be able to be free, and escape slavery if they accomplish reaching their goal up north. So this journey is important for the both of them to reach even if they have to endure and face problems together. Reaching freedom is very
important for the both of them and this journey allows them to have an everlasting friendship that they will always have to remember and cherish.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy stories about runaway slaves, and so I picked this one up on a whim. It was an easy read, and could be a little slow at times, but it was never truly boring. The chapters alternate between the past and present, intertwining the stories of two different generations. I was a little more bored with the chapters in the present, as not as much was going on there, but it never took me long to get through them.

Even with knowing some of the end results of the past, most of it was left a mystery, and so it never felt predictable. I was invested in Bethlehem and Susannah and their growth as characters.

I will say, the character of Mary seemed a little odd--as well as her parents. It's weird that Mary and her mother were so racist with Susannah as a grandmother/mother. I understand that Susannah might not have said much to her husband about this journey with a runaway slave, but it's weird she didn't try to teach her family better.

Also, the ending of the book felt a bit sad. The characters learn and grow, but then it ends and it felt almost... pointless? I'm trying to be vague so as not to spoil the ending, but it was almost depressing, and this book lost half a star for it (as I would have rated it 3.5 stars).

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susannah Emmons receives a letter from Bethlehem Reid and decides that she must go see her. Bethlehem is dying. While Susannah and Mary, her granddaughter, travel by train to Toronto, Susannah tells the story of her friendship with Bethlehem. When Susannah's parents drown, Susannah is sent south to live with her Uncle Reid. Bethlehem becomes Susannah's slave. Taught to abhor slavery, Susannah resists Bethlehem’s care. The girls quickly become fast friends. Eventually, Susannah’s homesickness forces her to “steal away” home. To avoid Byron Reid’s amorous attentions, Bethlehem decides to go with her. Hoping that their disappearance will be blamed on slave stealers, the girls leave early one morning dressed as boys. As they move north, they do odd jobs to earn their keep. In Maryland, they see a notice about their escape. Susannah wants Bethlehem to live with her in Vermont, but after seeing the notice, Bethlehem realizes that Canada is her only safe haven. A knife wound, a loving Quaker family, and the Underground Railroad all play a part in Bethlehem's freedom.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I most enjoyed about this book was the unique relationship between Susannah and Bethlehem. Susannah, a white girl raised in the North, watches her parents die when they fall through the ice of a frozen lake, and is sent to live with her father's brother, who is a slave owner in the South. Bethlehem, a black girl who is about Susannah's age, is assigned to be her slave, and, having been taught the evils of slavery all her life, Susannah hates everything about life on her uncle's farm. She makes a plan to escape, and Bethlehem ends up joining her on their dangerous journey to freedom in the North.

The author chose to tell the story alternating between flashbacks in 1855 and the current year, 1896, when Bethlehem and Susannah are old women, reunited in Canada to tell the story of their escape. Although I appreciated the idea of this, I was most interested in the 1855 story, and was occasionally annoyed when the story broke to take the reader back to 1896.

Overall I enjoyed reading this unique perspective on slavery, and appreciated the simplicity of the story.

[Alma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Armstrong, Jennifer. Steal Away to Freedom. Scholastic. 1993. 224 pp. ISBN: 0590469215. Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.41 Stars. Two friends run away during the Civil War from Virginia to Vermont in search for freedom and a better life.

Summary: Susannah is an orphan after her parents die from falling in a lake and goes to live on her uncle’s farm. Bethleham is a slave, both develop a special friendship when they run away in search for a better life and freedom during the Civil War. The book is written from two points of view, as the author goes from 1896 and 1855.

Main Characters: Susannah – white, orphan
Bethleham – slave, runs away with Susannah
Mary – Bethleham’s grand-daughter (writing the story).
Aunt & Uncle Reid – Susannah’s aunt & uncle.
Fidelia – Susannah’s cousin

Key Issues: slavery, war, friendship, death, orphan (parentless)

Other interesting information: Although I really liked this book, this may be very difficult for struggling readers to follow.

[Andjelija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steal Away is about two girls both living in the south(in virginia) that become friends and run away. one is white and the other is black. susannah's parents died back in vermont were she lived befor. bethlehem is a slave. they must travel from virginia to vermont, on foot. both want a better free life.

i was able to connect to susannah when she got sick and bethlehem help her thruoght the hard time. my mom and dad always on my side to help me when i'm sick.

i would recomand this book to all people who like to read about friendship and harded times. or anyone who likes to read about slaverer. i gave this book 4 stars because this book really showes what friendship is.