I Came As a Stranger: The Underground Railroad

by Bryan Prince

Honor Book for the Society of School Librarians International’s Best Book Award – Social Studies, Grades 7-12

Winner of 2005 Children’s Nautilus Book Awards (Non-fiction)


Prior to abolition in 1865, as many as 40,000 men, women, and children made the perilous trip north to freedom in Canada with the help of the Underground Railroad. It was neither underground nor was it a railroad, and was most remarkable for its lack of formal organization, so cloaked in secrecy that few facts were recorded while it “ran.”

The story of the Underground Railroad is one of suffering and of bravery, and is not only one of escape from slavery but of of people who carved out a new life for themselves in perilous, difficult circumstances. In I Came as a Stranger, Bryan Prince, a descendent of slaves, describes the people who made their way to Canada and the life that awaited them.

From Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Dresden, Ontario to Harriet Tubman’s Canadian base of operations in St. Catharines, the communities founded by former slaves soon produced businessmen, educators, and writers. Yet danger was present in the form of bounty hunters and prejudice.

Complemented by archival photos, I Came as a Stranger is an important addition to North American history.

Genres: History

168 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Bryan Prince is a respected historical researcher on the Underground Railroad, slavery, and abolition. His previous books include One More River to Cross, A Shadow on the Household, and I Came as a Stranger. Bryan is in demand as a presenter throughout North America, and he and his wife were awarded the 2011 prize for the Advancement of Knowledge by the Underground Railroad Free Press. He lives in North Buxton, Ontario.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Came As A Stranger far exceeded any expectations I started with. I expected to find the book informative and interesting, but mostly thought it would refresh my memory on topic I hadn't read up on in quite awhile. Not only was it far more informative and interesting than I had anticipated, it also provided far more information than anything I've previously read.

This is well written and easy to understand without being overly simplified; it could easily be read by adults, teens, and preteens. I wish I had had access to this over a decade ago, as it thorough and welcoming without being watered down or lengthy. While I was fully aware that slavery had taken place in Canada, and racism had run rampant here when the Underground Railroad was at its peak, I've never actually read anything on the Underground Railroad that included that information as part of the narrative. The use of specific firsthand accounts and noted landmarks really bring history to life. The photographs used are well chosen, and illustrate history to perfection.

Not only do I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone from ten year old children to adults, I think this should be required reading in middle or high school. While slavery and racism is a topic that many would certainly prefer to ignore, it's a part of history that is best remembered so that we may prevent such atrocities in the future, cope with similar situations more effectively, and honour those who were forced to struggle through such hardships. I Came As A Stranger presents difficult subject matter in such a way that as long as you have something new to learn on the topic (as most of us do), then the book is more than suitable for you.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good read if you want to learn general information about slavery ending in Canada, the underground railroad, and slavery in America. It's a quick and very informative read.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational, history of black persons in Southern Ontario.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eh