Freedom Train North: Stories of the Underground Railroad in Wisconsin

by Julia Pferdehirt, Jerry Butler (Illustrator)

People running from slavery made many hard journeys to find freedom—on steamboats and in carriages, across rivers and in hay-covered wagons. Some were shot at. Many were chased by slave catchers. Others hid in tunnels and secret rooms. But these troubles were worth it for the men, women, and children who eventually reached freedom. Freedom Train North tells the stories of fugitive slaves who found help in Wisconsin. Young readers (ages 7 to 12) will meet people like Joshua Glover, who was broken out of jail by a mob of freedom workers in Milwaukee, and Jacob Green, who escaped five times before he finally made it to freedom.

This compelling book also introduces stories of the strangers who hid fugitive slaves and helped them on their way, brave men and women who broke the law to do what was right. As both a historian and a storyteller, author Julia Pferdehirt shares these exciting and important stories of a dangerous time in Wisconsin’s past. Using manuscripts, letters, and artifacts from the period, as well as stories passed down from one generation to another, Pferdehirt takes us deep into our state’s past, challenging and inspiring us with accounts of courage and survival.

Genres: History

Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Julia Pferdehirt is an author, educator, and professional storyteller. A resident of Middleton, Wisconsin, Pferdehirt is also the author of They Came to Wisconsin, Caroline Quarlls and the Underground Railroad, and Blue Jenkins, all published for young audiences by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is written for young readers, it is a good read for all - especially young people and adults to read together.
I learned of the Brothertown Nation (Native Americans) who risked their own tenuous relationship with the U.S. government and helped slaves gain their freedom.

[Charlie N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book is sad but goood

[MsBrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom Train North, while written rather simplistically for a youthful audience, captivates adults just the same. Pferdehirt excels in utilizing her skill of storytelling to engage her audience with the stories of both the men and women who headed north to escape slavery and those who risked their lives and livelihoods to bring Freedom to them.

Pferdehirt's thorough research pays off; each story in the book is true, replete with citations. In the end one can not help but feel proud to know there are others committed to freedom and justice and equality to all. Freedom Train North serves as a reminder that each individual has a responsibility to society to do right. It also brings to light an important time in WI history. Many of the stories in Freedom Train North are so unique they most certainly trump any fiction: the 'slave' who was hidden in a sugar barrel, the ship captain who ordered the 'slave' to jump off the boat or be recaptured and certainly the story of the battalion who drew their bayonets rather than abide by the fugitive slave law.

I look forward to referring to the "To Learn More" section and perhaps indulging myself more deeply in some of the stories mentioned.

[Dana Abel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a children’s nonfiction book, this was really good. It wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, but that’s personal taste. The stories were interesting and were told in the right level of detail for the intended audience. The fact that it was Wisconsin-specific will make a nice connection for my students. I recognized all the town names, and that’s always fun. I do think it was a little bit of a stretch—the Underground Railroad really wasn’t that prevalent in Wisconsin. A broader field might have yielded more interesting stories and less repetition. There was an entire chapter of fragmented/poorly documented stories, just for the sake of pages, I think. Maybe something like Underground Railroad Stories of the Midwest might have had more heft. I did like the use and explanation of primary sources in a middle grade work. Direct quotes from slaves and abolitionists’ letters and journals were scattered throughout and often even pictured. This would be a good resource to teach primary sources to children. I’m hoping my students are enjoying this one, because I think it’s a very worthwhile piece of middle grade literature.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.