Freedom's Wings

Corey's Underground Railroad Diary #1

by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

As part of the relaunch of the My America series, Sharon Dennis Wyeth introduces readers to Corey Birdsong, a slave boy in antebellum Kentucky. This is the story of his family's attempt to escape.

Corey Birdsong is a lively young boy in search of freedom in the same country that made an economy of slavery. He and his family are owned by the Hart family of Kentucky. But, when Corey's father, Roland, flees to the North and Corey and his mother follow.

Corey records his daily life on the Hart farm with incredible insight and honesty, and later he describes the difficult journey along the "Underground Railroad" to the North to be reunited with his father. With the help of many kind strangers, Corey, his parents, and his new baby sister arrive afely in Canada.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Childrens, Young Adult, Diary, Fiction

112 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secretly having been taught by his father to read and to write, in the 2001 fictional journal Freedom's Wings (with Freedom's Wings being the first instalment of a trilogy, which the sequels titled Flying Free and Message in the Sky) nine-year-old (and living in rural 1850s Kentucky) slave Corey Birdsong is shown by Sharon Dennis Wyeth (who is African American and that Freedom's Wings is thus also OwnVoices) as keeping a detailed diary but also knowing, but also being more than well aware of the fact that he must always hide this from his "owner" (quotation marks are mine and are meant to show how said very word makes me totally cringe and hugely furious), with Freedom's Wings definitely showing (even if sometimes more below and between the lines) that both Corey and his father would face punishment at best (and maybe even worse) if their literacy were ever discovered.

And yes, I also do truly enjoy and equally so find this very nicely realistic how Dennis Wyeth has in and with Freedom's Wings Corey Birdsong's spelling and grammar for his journal gradually but consistently be improving as he learns from both his father (who reads his son's diary and offers suggestions for improvement as well as providing lists of spelling words in the journal pages for him, for Corey to practice) and also from his own observations, with the diary entries for Freedom's Wings sounding sparse, but also compelling and nicely age as well as language acumen and literacy level appropriate. But furthermore, the lists of presented spelling words presented throughout Freedom's Wings, this in my opinion for one makes Freedom's Wings a good and equally so an engagingly fun classroom as well as homeschooling language arts tool and for two also hopefully will be ensuring that children, that young readers will not imitate (will not be tempted to simply copy Corey's spelling and grammar "gaffes" when they are doing their own writing, their own written assignments, projects etc.).

Now in addition to realistically and engagingly recording life on a 19th century Kentucky farm (although and indeed, how Corey Birdsong describes his life as a slave in Freedom's Wings is of course necessarily so heartbreaking to read and as such also makes me want to scream with anger and fury and especially so when I consider how there are still far too many ignorant and pathetically vile and depraved Americans who even today, who even in the 21st century dare to claim that slavery was not something totally racist, was not absolutely evil and all encompassingly horrid), Corey's journal, Freedom's Wings also traces the boy and his pregnant mother's often harrowing flight towards freedom by way of the Underground Railroad (after Corey's father had run away after realising that Master Hart was going to callously and cruelly sell him and separate the family) and with Sharon Dennis Wyeth also infusing the narrative of Freedom's Wings with many and appreciated references to famous Underground Railroad heroes like Frederick Douglass. But yes and happily so, Dennis Wyeth via young Corey Birdsong's voice and words also acknowledges with Freedom's Wings the nameless men and women (African Americans, Native Americans, Quakers etc.) who believed in emancipation and freedom enough to risk their own safety and indeed also their own lives to help. However and entirely personally speaking here, would the danger resulting from and being posed by so-called slave catchers in Freedom's Wings not be made a bit more poignant, a bit more condemning and also more painful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth by having Corey Birdsong's fictional diary not just show and name Underground Railroad heroes but also be identifying by both first and family name actual historical slave catchers (and thereby harshly but totally justifiably naming them, shaming them and theirs as well as with no holds barred so to speak be demonstrating the absolute and unforgivable disgustingness of what they were doing, of what slave catchers were disgustingly being paid for to do).

Finally, the historical note and photographs in Freedom's Wings are enlightening but at the same time also simple enough to be nicely suitable for the intended audience (for readers from about the ages eight to twelve or so) and they thus cement and solidify the link between fact and fiction, although a list of titles for further reading would be appreciated and would in my humble opinion also increase the learning and research value of Freedom's Wings. But just to point out that with regard to my star rating for Freedom's Wings, while in and of itself I (and especially my inner child) would consider Freedom's Wings as being solidly five stars, the ending of Freedom's Wings with Dennis Wyeth describing Corey Birdsong, his mother, his infant sister and also his father all reunited and having reached freedom in what is now Canada and how Corey actually calls this Canada in his diary, well, this is rather frustrating and more than somewhat annoying (and also means a one star reduction especially from adult me). For 1857 is prior to confederation (1867), how ergo, there was as yet no Ontario and no Canada per se in 1857 and that to be historically accurate in Freedom's Wings, upon arriving and being free (and generally safe), Corey Birdsong should be calling what is now Canada and the province of Ontario Canada West or Upper Canada (and indeed, this does also make me wonder a bit if for the sequel, if for Flying Free, which seems to be about Corey Birdsong and his family after arriving in Canada West, there also will be some historical inaccuracies being presented by Sharon Dennis Wyeth).

[Emily Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: This is a historical fiction book about a little nine year old boy named Corey. He was a slave along with his mom and dad back in the 1800's. The book consists of different journal entries from Corey talking about his days and what is happening. Corey's dad leaves first in hopes of finding freedom and not long after, Corey and his mom flee as well. Corey makes it safely to America with the help of the Underground Railroad.

Evaluation: I enjoyed reading this book and think it would be wonderful for students to read or to read with students as it tells a story of how it was for people in slavery. It is a longer book but a fairly easy read and would suit well middle to upper aged elementary students.

Teaching: I could use this book in a history class when discussing slavery and the use of the underground railroad. I would read with my students the book, or parts of the book, and then we could have a class discussion about the book and what happened in it to begin a discussion about slavery.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a starting point. It would be a good way to get into a discussion of the Underground Railroad, slavery, race and other somewhat tricky concepts with a younger child. Much older than 10, I think they would be bored by this though, as it is very simple to read. A good series as well for reluctant readers, for the simplicity and shortness.

[Tiffany Blose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to introduce the underground Railway. Will be sharing with my students. I want to read the other books!!

[Hannah Huffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction book is a diary of a young African American slave and his family trying to escape through the Underground Railroad. This book would be a great one to keep in the class library. Because it is in the form of a diary, it makes it an easier read for younger or struggling readers. It also helps the student connect more with the main character. This is the first of three books so it can also encourage the student to keep reading.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not very detailed. I would've thought that Corey would've had a lot more to say. I didn't catch too much suspense about what the whole journey he just took must've entailed. This is definitely more for younger children. An even younger audience than the dear America series. One thing I did learn, from this book and really clarified in the life in America section was how even in free states blacks could be taken back into slavery. And I remember that in the American girl addy series, their family goes to Philadelphia. Which seemed to have been a pretty famous place for Slaves to capture their freedom. I'm curious how come such determined slave owners didn't gather in the famous locations like that to try to take back their slaves. And how the families in these famous American locations where slaves tried to start over a new life, could ever live without fear of their old masters sending someone to these well known locations to take them back. It's interesting that anyone stayed in the US at all and that they all didn't go to Canada like Corey's family did.

[Lilanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Corey. He writes in his diary every day about his life. He writes about how his family is going to try and escape their state of slavery. His dad had been teaching him how to read and write They put trust in a conductor and his dad that went by the name Roland tried to escape first. He had made it to freedom. Then Corey convinced his mother to come that he wouldn't leave without her. She came along, but she said it probably wouldn't be a good idea because she was pregnant. They traveled through the underground railroad. In the end the family had reunited and was safe at last.
I read this book hoping it would give me more information about the life of the slave. It was a low level of reading. I finished this book in less than 40 minutes. It didn't really give me any new information on the topic, however this book might be good for someone who nothing about this topic really at all. That is why I rated this book a 2/5.

[Jaden]

Historical Fiction

It is 1857, and Corey and his parents are slaves on the Hart Farm in Kentucky. When he is not picking corn in the fields or helping in the kitchen, Corey takes walks with his Daddy and learns about birds and how to imitate their songs. He also plays with his friend Mingo, a fellow slave.

Corey overhears the plans to sell his father, he warns him, and Daddy runs away to the north, leaving Corey and his Mama behind. Then a white man, Mr. Renfield, comes to the farm to buy horses. He takes a special interest in Corey, asking him to show him some birds. Mr. Renfield is really a conductor on the Underground Railroad, the people who help slaves escape to freedom. He encourages Corey and Mama to run away and "meet up with Daddy." Mama is reluctant to go because she is expecting a baby, but one night they make their escape. Finally, all together, the family boards a boat crossing Lake Erie to Canada and to freedom.

[Jasmine Stocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction book about a little nine-year-old boy named Corey. He was a slave along with his mom and dad back in the 1800's. The book consists of different journal entries from Corey talking about his days and what is happening. Corey's dad leaves first in hopes of finding freedom and not long after, Corey and his mom flee as well. Corey makes it safely to America with the help of the Underground Railroad. This book would be a perfect read for students just starting out to read because it is very simple and not very detailed.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it’s realistic for much of the spelling to be incorrect, that plus the often disjointed sentence structure made it hard to read at times. It was also mixed in with plenty of sections with good spelling and better structure. Corey spends time in Oberlin but I wish he was there longer as he could have experienced an interesting event. One of the dates in the historical note was incorrect.

[Reece Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is a very good book because of the way that the author had it set up and what I mean is they said what day that that he wrote it and also it told us every ones name and how he knew them and he showed us how he learned how yo read and write and how he got away and in conclusion I think that this book is very good

[Joey Oborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about a slave boy and he and his mom are trying to find his dad but people help then like people there coler and for example his mom was about to have a baby and the quakers helped her. At the end the baby was a girl and they found there dad and went to FREEDOM!!!!

[Raquel Schmitt]

Corey is a slave who tries to escape. He does not realize how dangerous escaping would be. He ends up escaping with his sister and mom. This story encaptures how dangerous it would be to be escaping as a slave.

[Kaitlin Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A amazing book I could not put it down from start to finish. Had me feeling a lot of different emotions and really a great book even with lots of hardships.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to the Underground Railroad for children. I appreciate that it was written by a poc.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much more simplistic than the similar Dear America books. It's okay, but doesn't really give you much detail. I wish there was more to it.

[Abby Huhe]

This was a book written in the form of a diary. It was a boy who was a slave and ran to freedom. It tells the tails of his father running free and he and his mother fighting their way to freedom to find him. I would recommend this book.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitled Corey's Diary, Kentucky to Ohio, 1857.

Corey is only nine years old. He, his mother and father are all slaves. His father manages to escape, and later Corey and his mother decide it is time for them, too, to seek their freedom. The story tells about the horrors of the slave hunters, and how the slaves had to hide where they could, trying to outrun the men and their dogs as they hunted them down.

One of the tricks apparently involved rubbing onions on ones feet to throw the dogs off the scent. Corey and his mother end up being separated, and Corey has a rough time, still seeking his father.

The historical section goes into how runaway slaves were hunted down. It eventually became legal for slave-owners to have men pursue their slaves into the 'free' states and, if they caught them, to take them back to the slave states they came from. Material on the underground railroad is included. People who helped slaves could get in trouble if caught, but many still helped the slaves make it to freedom up in Canada.

[Jenifer Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a sweet young child whose family is in search of freedom. The book depicts the family as they escape from slavery. His father leaves first and then his mother and he go after. they make it, but it's not without constant danger and hardship. I do wish that it had given more details, but as this book series is shorter and I think meant for a younger audience, I get why there wasn't. I feel for teachers this might be a good book to use as an educational tool for younger audiences.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine-year-old Corey and his parents live in slavery on a Kentucky farm in 1857. But Corey has one thing most slaves don't have - his father, who was educated, has taught him to read and write, and to practice, Corey keeps a diary. When his father learns he is to be sold, he runs away, fleeing for the North. Corey and his pregnant mother soon follow, facing great danger because they hope to be able to live in freedom. Will Corey's family ever be reunited in freedom - or will they be separated and returned to slavery? Told through the form of Corey's journal, this book reveals what it was like for slaves who dared to escape bondage and made the dangerous journey along the Underground Railroad.

This book was an enjoyable read that should be enjoyed by readers who liked other books in the My America series.

[ProfCurrier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great because it incorporates history into literature. It is about a young boy named Corey who is living as a slave. Students reading this book would get information about slavery from the perspective of someone their age living through it. Students would also learn quickly that Corey would be in great danger if his Master found out that he knew how to read and write. This book would be great for 4th-6th grade, as it is told from the point of view of a 9-year-old boy. The most challenging part of this book is the dialect; it is written the way it would be spoken by a 9-year-old slave. Many of the words are misspelled, so it would be beneficial for students to read this book aloud to get a better feel for the dialect. This is a suspenseful story that brings history to life.

- Cheryl Tucker

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Corey is a 9 year old boy who has been a slave his whole life. One day when his dad runs away, he realizes that he wants to run away too. Even though his mother is pregnant, they are willing to risk that to get their freedom. Some parts of the book are very interesting and give you a rush. I liked the book so much that i didnt want to put it down. Its a good book to read if you want to learn about slavery. The book teaches you what horrible things they did to the slaves and how they treated them.

[Ashley Lahr]

This book was about Corey and his family who are all enslaved. They hear of people who have escaped to freedom. One day Corey hears of his father being sold. He rushes to tell his father but his father and Charles have already made a break for freedom. Days after Corey and his now pregnant mother have to also make a break for freedom, except this time they have help. Not without problems they all make it across the Ohio River and are now headed for Canada. There are posters all over with offerings of rewards to have them captured and returned.

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really great book for students to read while discussing The Civil War (5th grade). I think it would be neat to read this which is from the perspective of a slave who is running away on the Underground Railroad and compare it to Emma's Diary which is from the perspective of a plantation owner's daughter. It would also be neat for students to create their own journal/diary entries from the perspective of another person from The Civil War.

[10-11 Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book or diary is about a boy and his family who are slaves.Soon they get tired of being slaves and want to escape.The scary part about escaping is if you get caught you could get beaten with a stick or rope.The boy's father was the first to escape but the boy has no idea what may have happened to his father.Soon it's the boy's and his mom's turn to escape and from there their escape was an adventure.This is a book someone would like if they want an action packed and sad story of slavery.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a boy that escapes from his master.

I do not remember much about this book. (8& up)

I can't rememeber much about this book, all I remember is that these people were hiding all the time and I can not remember if any of them got caught. I know this was a good book for one it was Dear America for another it was historical fiction. I think everyone should read this.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the way Wyeth used the writing getting better with more practice. Usually it's incredibly grating to read spelling mistakes, but it was done well here. Probably because it was both short and a fairly quick progression.

The story itself was also a good escaping slave narrative, and gave great insight to the Underground Railroad.

[Alicia Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corey Birdsong escapes from slavery with his mom who is pregnant in search for his father who ran away prior. Corey is able to make his way by doing bird calls. He eventually finds his father by doing a bird call, and they then find his mom who just gave birth to a baby girl. They make there way to freedom.

[Jenny U · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for young readers to help them understand the Underground Railroad. However, I think Wyeth underestimates her readers and makes the book too short. She could have added more detail to Corey's journey.