Freedom at the Falls

The Imagination Station #22

by Marianne Hering, Sheila Seifert

Over 1 million sold in series!

When they step into the Imagination Station, kids experience an unforgettable journey filled with action-packed adventure to inspire their imaginations. With each book, they’re whisked away with cousins Patrick and Beth to embark on a new journey around the world and back in time.

In Freedom at the Falls , the Imagination Station takes Patrick and Beth to 1860s America, the time of the Civil War. There they meet key historical figures of the period and help conduct escaping slaves along the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada. This is the first in a three-part story arc focusing on Civil War America.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Time Travel

144 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

About the author

Marianne Hering is a prolific writer, having written hundreds of articles and a number of books for children and parents. For nine years she worked for several magazines in Focus on the Family’s periodicals department and became the editor of Clubhouse, a Focus on the Family children’s magazine with a circulation of more than 100,000.

As a book developer for Focus on the Family, she and coauthor / creative director Paul McCusker launched the Adventures in Odyssey book series The Imagination Station in 2010. Currently the series includes 19 books, with two more contracted for 2017 release. Paul bowed out of his role in 2015 to pursue other creative avenues. The combined sales are more than 450,000.

Currently Marianne is a freelance writer taking assignments. She and her husband live in Colorado with their twin sons.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. These are way better than the Magic Treehouse books. Our characters actually do something and honestly learn a little about history. Not a ton, these are not text books, but maybe enough for a jumping off platform or to start a discussion.

I thought this was a fair look at slavery. Largely unpopular, especially by the people of the north, and benefitting only a small minority in the south. Again, this isn't meant to cover all the ins and outs of slavery but instead provide a nice entry point into the discussion. I hope to get more of these, my kids seem to like them and I enjoy reading them.

I also don't think you need to know what Adventures in Odyssey is, but it does make the series a bit more fun. Nor is it blatantly Christian. The kids call on God for help like twice. I'm not even sure Jesus is mentioned, and a gospel is never presented. It is a pretty weak Christian story, but it is a fun travel through history.

[Anna || annareadsnshares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by my 9 year old son:

I liked this book. I liked the hiding place one more, but I still liked this one.

My favorite part was when Mrs Lincoln, Patrick, and Beth tricked the mean slave catcher and helped Sally escape.

I learned that doing the right thing is sometimes scary, but you can be brave because God is with you.

My thoughts:

Another great book from the imagination station series! This one seemed a little slower than the last one we read. We loved how it brought history to life and showed us what it might have been like for a child to live as a slave. It sparked some interesting conversations within our family, and we all agreed it was a great read!

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 22 in the "Imagination Station" series for children 7 and up. In each book, cousins Beth and Patrick time travel to a new place/a new time. This particular place and time was on a train with Abraham Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln, and ends at Niagara Falls as a runaway slave tries to make her escape to Canada. You learn glean some U.S. history while enjoying a child-size suspense.

[Tiefeng Jia · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, educational and fun. I enjoyed reading it.

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle is re-reading series: great! Return to library.

[Barry McCarty-Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that Sally was safe.

I don't like that Sally was in danger.

[Laura McCarty-Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked when Willie wedged his tin soldier in the door to keep it from opening.

I didn't like that Holman Jones was after Sally.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little read aloud. Much better than Magic Tree House books!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as a read aloud for school. It was a fun read to go along with our history. The kids gave it a 5 and 4.5 star rating .