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Runaway to Freedom: A Story of the Underground Railway
"There's a place the slaves been whisperin' around called Canada," Mammy tells her daughter one night. "The law don't allow no slavery there." The very next morning, a ruthless slave trader separates Julilly from her mother, taking Julilly to a plantation in the dreaded Deep South. The slave quarters there are crowded and filthy, and the slaves are as frail and thin as shadows. The cruel overseer lashes out with his whip at every opportunity. So when Julilly gets a chance to escape, she and her crippled friend Liza don't hesitate, despite their terror of what will happen if they are caught. They go disguised as boys, hiding by day and running by night. Along the way they are helped by courageous people who hide them in secret "stations" of the Underground Railway -- and they are pursued constantly by slave hunters and bloodhounds. Each close brush with danger brings them a step closer to Canada ... and freedom.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 21, 2022
This book has been a favorite of mine since almost before I can remember! I think Mom introduced me to it when I was in my first few years of school, and I’ve read it several times since then. Most recently, I realized my next-younger sister had never heard it, so we had it as our bedtime story for a month or so.
Although this is a runaway slave story, it is very gentle in its descriptions. Several times, you hear that things happen—but the way they’re told of is suitable even for 6- and 7-year-olds. I was quite impressed rereading it this time around—it’s been well over ten years since I last read the story, but it’s still as gripping now as it was then, and I still found myself rooting for the characters the same way! What makes it even better is knowing that this is based on true stories, not just made up. Probably my most favorite “escape to freedom” story ever, I’d highly recommend you pick this up if you haven’t had a chance to yet.
Although this is a runaway slave story, it is very gentle in its descriptions. Several times, you hear that things happen—but the way they’re told of is suitable even for 6- and 7-year-olds. I was quite impressed rereading it this time around—it’s been well over ten years since I last read the story, but it’s still as gripping now as it was then, and I still found myself rooting for the characters the same way! What makes it even better is knowing that this is based on true stories, not just made up. Probably my most favorite “escape to freedom” story ever, I’d highly recommend you pick this up if you haven’t had a chance to yet.
September 12, 2024
I have read this book many times, and I must say, I cannot find any more good and positive things to say about Runaway to Freedom. It’s a great book to read, as well as be inspired by.
The main character Julilly (who is called June Lilly by her mother Mammy Sally) eventually comes to the realization that freedom in Canada (because the law there forbids slavery) is better than being enslaved on the Riley plantation in Mississippi (after she, Adam, Ben and Lester, as well as Willie and some other children, have been sold and taken to the Deep South). However, she does remember that her old master, Jeb Henson, was good to his slaves and treated them well; Lester even remembered that one of the house slaves on the Henson plantation in Virginia knew how to read and taught him, “and the Massa knew that too. He just made us promise not to tell anyone—not even Missy Henson.”
Thankfully, it turns out that Alexander Ross, who is from Canada, is actually an abolitionist; he comes to the Riley plantation on the pretense of catching birds, but is actually there to help slaves escape to Canada.
As Julilly and her friend Liza (who is shown to have a bent back because she’d been whipped more than once by the overseer Sims because she tried to run away and got caught) slip away to Canada, their journey was one I seemed to share with them while I read about it; I could see myself with them on Jeb and Ella Brown’s roof when Sheriff Starkey came looking for them, and then under the bed in Levi’s wife Catherine’s room when Sheriff Donnelly comes in. (Thankfully, Julilly and Liza are kept safe.)
Finally, when they’re in a canvas-covered lifeboat on the Mayflower (which is also called the “Abolition Boat” by Mr. Ross), I felt I was right there with them and also feeling that their journey was almost ending.
What happens when they get to Canada? Here’s my suggestion: read the book for yourself, and find out.
Finally, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a history buff and likes reading about how life was back in the 1800s, and I also give this book five stars (although ten stars would be even better). 😊🦅
The main character Julilly (who is called June Lilly by her mother Mammy Sally) eventually comes to the realization that freedom in Canada (because the law there forbids slavery) is better than being enslaved on the Riley plantation in Mississippi (after she, Adam, Ben and Lester, as well as Willie and some other children, have been sold and taken to the Deep South). However, she does remember that her old master, Jeb Henson, was good to his slaves and treated them well; Lester even remembered that one of the house slaves on the Henson plantation in Virginia knew how to read and taught him, “and the Massa knew that too. He just made us promise not to tell anyone—not even Missy Henson.”
Thankfully, it turns out that Alexander Ross, who is from Canada, is actually an abolitionist; he comes to the Riley plantation on the pretense of catching birds, but is actually there to help slaves escape to Canada.
As Julilly and her friend Liza (who is shown to have a bent back because she’d been whipped more than once by the overseer Sims because she tried to run away and got caught) slip away to Canada, their journey was one I seemed to share with them while I read about it; I could see myself with them on Jeb and Ella Brown’s roof when Sheriff Starkey came looking for them, and then under the bed in Levi’s wife Catherine’s room when Sheriff Donnelly comes in. (Thankfully, Julilly and Liza are kept safe.)
Finally, when they’re in a canvas-covered lifeboat on the Mayflower (which is also called the “Abolition Boat” by Mr. Ross), I felt I was right there with them and also feeling that their journey was almost ending.
What happens when they get to Canada? Here’s my suggestion: read the book for yourself, and find out.
Finally, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a history buff and likes reading about how life was back in the 1800s, and I also give this book five stars (although ten stars would be even better). 😊🦅
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November 17, 2008Twelve-year-old Julilly and her crippled friend Liza run North tward freedom. They go disguised as boys‚ knowig only to folow the North Star‚ hiding by day and running by night.They get help from many africanamericans along the way who hide them in their basements, the Underground Railway that leads to freedom in canada.
February 28, 2008
I read this book when I was young and fell in love with it!!! When I read it again in 1996 I realized that it is a good book for someone who is young.
December 12, 2021
I still have questions over so should get to tell this story, but Lawrence Hill’s endorsement does a lot for me. He still offer this endorsement today, I wonder?
Still, this is the best account of this subject that I’ve read for children.
Still, this is the best account of this subject that I’ve read for children.
October 1, 2016
I read this book when I was in grade 7, truly amazing and beautifully written!
April 10, 2022
Runaway to freedom: The story of underground railway by Barbara Smucker Illustrator Charles Lilly- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of two runaway Afro-American slave girls. First is twelve-year-old Julilly and second, her crippled friend Liza. Julilly’s mother Sally whispers that she has heard that towards North, Canada is one place where slaves are free. The very next morning, a ruthless slave trader separates Julilly from her mother, taking Julilly to a plantation in Deep South. The slave quarters there are crowded and filthy, and the slaves are as frail and thin as shadows. The cruel overseer lashes out with his whip at every opportunity. So, when Julilly gets a chance to escape, she and her crippled friend Liza don't hesitate, despite their terror of what will happen if they are caught. They go disguised as boys, hiding by day and running by night. They can hide and run towards freedom. They follow the North Star. They are helped by many African-Americans along the way who hide them in their basements. They reach the Underground Railway that leads to freedom in Canada. Along the way they are helped by courageous people who hide them in secret "stations" of the Underground Railway -- and they are pursued constantly by slave hunters and bloodhounds. Each close brush with danger brings them a step closer to Canada ... and freedom. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
June 21, 2024
I read and loved this book as a girl and recently decided to reread it. I must say it is a keeper. The author has a vivid way of writing that draws you in. You can feel the sticky heat and see the contrast between the big house and the slave quarters. It also seems to be a very well researched book. It does a good job of portraying the hard subject of slavery in a way appropriate for young readers. You can feel the emotions, and longings, and joys. The hardships that formerly enslaved people continued to face after freedom is touched on as well. All in all this is a book that is worth a place in my library.
One thing to note is that throughout the book characters (black people or white slave owners) use a term to refer to black people which is no longer appropriate. However, I believe it is used in a historically accurate way and it provides opportunity for discussion on how word usages change and respectful ways of speaking about people groups.
One thing to note is that throughout the book characters (black people or white slave owners) use a term to refer to black people which is no longer appropriate. However, I believe it is used in a historically accurate way and it provides opportunity for discussion on how word usages change and respectful ways of speaking about people groups.
May 27, 2020
Interesting, insightful, mysterious, enlightening and violent without being graphic. A great book for the tween reader or anyone who wants an easy read or to learn more about the Underground Railway. The brave, strong, and determined people who escaped the horrors of slavery to live a free life in Canada, have now lived in this country for generations. I love that some of the characters in the book were real people who were conductors in the Underground Railway!
May 3, 2022
Underground Railway to Canada—historical fiction by the author of Henry’s Red Sea. Not overly graphic, but still a hard read in some ways because of the subject matter. I’d give this to my kids in a few years.
April 22, 2020
good story that I read after my children read it.
June 30, 2011
This was my favorite book when I was 8 or 9
October 22, 2013
this story is about four slaves in south carolina that escape and get to canada
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews