Night Boat to Freedom

by Margot Theis Raven, E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)

When Granny Judith asks twelve-year-old Christmas John to row Molly, cook’s daughter, across the river from Kentucky to the Free State of Ohio, he’s terrified. Bravely, he begins the first of many journeys. Each time he returns, Granny Judith asks what color clothing his passenger wore, for she’s had a dream-vision and is making a quilt from squares of these “freedom colors.” When there are only two squares left, she tells him, “Dream says we got to get ourselves over the river, ’cause the danger’s gonna grow awful.”
 
This compelling story, powerfully and poignantly illustrated, is a memorable celebration of courage, hope, and unselfish love.  Night Boat to Freedom is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Historical, Cultural, Family, Childrens, Middle Grade

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2006

Reviews

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/19/2011 ** I'm currently doing a unit on the Underground Railroad with my fourth graders and chose to read this aloud today. As I read, I heard the sound of fingers rubbing the illustrations, which are so realistic, you believe you can feel the bark and the murk of the fog. My kids were equally spellbound by the story, totally caught up in characters' lives and wondering if Christmas John was a real person. Named Christmas John because he was born on Christmas Day, the main character began rowing escaping slaves across the Ohio River from Kentucky to Ohio when he was just 12 years old. My students and I wondered how he could keep returning to slavery, risking capture and beatings, when every month in the dark of the moon he actually reached the northern edge of the river.

In her Author's Note, Raven explains that she researched this book by reading the narratives of former slaves collected by unemployed writers in the WPA program in the 1930s. This book is a composite of two different individuals - Granny Judith who was enticed onto a slave ship with progressively larger swaths of red cloth AND John who rowed hundreds of runaway slaves across the rivers over the course of four years.

Among the plethora of picture books about the Underground Railroad, this one deserves more attention than it gets.

[Katie Grasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did like this book. It was short but it gone down to the point. It talked about multiple different aspects of the slave life starting out with how the grandma got caught and how hard it was to not get caught when they were transporting people back and forth across the river. It was very powerful in the sense that at any moment the kid could get caught and he knew that and made that known in the dialogue so you were almost on the edge of your seat the whole time as well. The plot was rich but it was short sweet and to the point. A very strong story was told in about 20 pages and that just goes to show that you can write a good piece of work and not have it drown on and on, but just get to the point of it. learning outcomes can include learning about new cultures as well as finding out what it was like to live in a different time and even a different skin color.

[Kayla Boerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set in the time when slavery was common. In this story, Christmas John has to take Molly across the river to Ohio, a free state. This journey is very dangerous and could be detrimental to both of them if they get caught. I think this book is a great piece of diverse literature. It could be used to inform kids about how our world used to be. Many children come to school with no prior knowledge on slavery so I think it is very important that we have good books that we can use to talk about the subject. Even though this happened so long ago, children still need to learn about this subject to prevent it from happening again.

[Krysta McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction book is good for grades 3-5 and has a truthful way of telling the story of slavery to younger readers. This book provided me a different way to view the tragedy of slavery and what it may have been like for those put through this hardship. While this book discusses hardships it also showed me aside of hope that I personally feel that a lot of books leave out. It is because of this glimpse of hope that was peaking through that I would probably use this book over another one in my classroom.

[Jordan Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a strong story about escaping slavery. You are on edge the whole time as Christmas John tries to help slave after slave escape across the river to freedom. It is as if you are scared for him that he might just get caught one time. It is one of those books that keeps you wanting more. You want to change the page quickly to find out what is going to happen.

[Melani Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the role the quilt has in this book. I also like that the story began pre-slavery since I want my children to remember the long history of blacks that has nothing to do with slavery or civil rights. The ending was superb.

[Hayley Murray-Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Fiction 2006
This was a powerful book about escaping slavery. The young boy has a very important job. I would read this book aloud to my students to inform them about slavery.

[Manuela Brunetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, and it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story. The author’s note at the end was helpful.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book about escape from slavery. 12 year old boy rows a boat across the river from Kentucky to Ohio many times.
Beautiful illustrations and story.

[Jennifer Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and determination lead John to help others to freedom until he can do the same for himself and his grandmother.

[Shaye Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade Level: 2-4
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

I loved this book It talks about slavery and the real struggles to get to freedom. How do use is a good book for young kids to read because it can show real struggles people can go through

[Chelsey Stotler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Night Boat to Freedom is a combination of several recordings of slaves’ journeys to freedom. The story takes place in Kentucky where Christmas John and his grandma Judith live. The house that they live in is close to the river that leads to Ohio, which is a free state. Grandma Judith had raises John since he was a baby and continues to be a hard workingwoman under the power of her master. Grandma Judith works with dye pots, boiling and stirring up thread to weave clothing. Each dye pot holds its own unique color. Grandma Judith remembers the bright colorful red cloth that was in front of her village as a child. She thought this cloth was so beautiful she followed the trail of brightly colored cloth until she found herself next to a ship. She was tricked and then taken away from her village forever. From there on out she said that, “The pretty color of red turned the sad color of slavery for me.” She went on to tell John about a station across the river where slaves could escape into Ohio. All John had to do was take a rowboat at night and follow the lighthouse light in the distance. John did what his grandmother asked of him and continued to take slaves over to freedom for four years. Every time John would take someone to freedom his grandmother would ask him what color was freedom tonight. John would ask the people he took to Ohio what color they were wearing and that would be the color of freedom. His grandmother made a quilt of all the colors of freedom until the night they decided it was getting to dangerous so John would have to row himself to freedom and leave his grandmother forever. John was heartbroken and did not want to leave this precious lady. He got a very little ways when he decided to turn back for his grandmother. John said, “What scares the head is best done with the heart.” As quietly as they could they took off for the rowboat. It was a long journey but they finally made it to freedom. Granny Judith on arrival said, “In the dark of the moon we are all the colors of freedom, sugar!” I enjoyed this book very much. It is one of the best NBGS award winners I have read. It would be good to incorporate this literature into a classroom so the students could gain a better understanding of what it meant to be a slave in Kentucky. Students can feel a connection between themselves and the main character if they dig deep down. Everyone has a grandma whether alive or not. Students can relate to having to leave someone behind or to help others in need. This story teaches many great lessons.

[Jennifer Walizer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
Night Boat to Freedom by Margot Theis Raven begins with Christmas John’s grandmother sending him on a mission to take Molly to a location for escaping slaves. He took Molly across the water to the location and then he realized that he enjoyed helping others cross the river. Christmas began doing this for many more people. Every night his grandma asks, “What is the color of freedom?” and the answer would be whatever color that person was wearing that night. Each answer was sewn into a quilt by the grandma, who towards the end of the story has a big colorful quilt. Christmas one night gets chased by dogs, this story frightens his Granny Judith. She then tells Christmas that the new shirt she made him is his freedom color, it was his turn to get himself to safety. At first he goes off on his own with the quilt, as Granny Judith will not go with him, but he returns for his grandma and runs off with her trying to not get caught. They make it to Ohio and Christmas John asks one last time, “What is the color of Freedom?”. Granny Judith responds by saying, “Didn’t my dye pot teach you anything’ ‘bout colors? Look at us, Christmas John, of the moon we are all the colors of freedom, sugar! You and me, child! You and me!”
Classroom Connection:
This is a great and powerful historical fiction book to include in your multicultural literature selections. It is a text that you could use during a slavery unit. You could also demonstrate symbolism through the idea of the quilt in the story. This story could be used for many history topics.

[Jaclyn Giordano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Night Boat to Freedom by Margot Theis Raven is a picture book intended for readers in grades two through six. I gave it four stars. Christmas John, an eleven-year old boy, and his Granny Judith, are two slaves who bravely help many others escape across the river from Kentucky to Ohio. Every night, Christmas John rows a boat and takes slaves across the river to freedom as Granny Judith sews a patch of the quilt for every color of freedom that escapes. It was the red cloth that lured her to slavery, but, she states “we are all the colors of freedom.” Christmas John’s and Granny Judith’s bravery shows that “what scares the head is best done with the heart” as their last journey across the river leads them to freedom as well. The dark illustrations represent the gloom and darkness of slavery. These illustrations are intertwined with colorful bursts, representing the life and vivaciousness of freedom. The Author’s Note details more information on which this book is based, detailing the lives of slaves who helped those cross the river and the lives of slaves who quilted colors of freedom. Christmas John’s and Granny Judith’s unselfish bravery will speak to readers about being brave in the face of danger. The power of family is well-captured in this story and the patchwork of the quilt demonstrates to readers the strength and courage all slaves had as they stood up for each other and demanded freedom.

[Kelli Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Night Boat to freedom By Margrot Theis Reaven, illustrated by E. B. Lewis is an excellent book! The book is about a young African American slave named Christmas and his grandmother named Granny Judith. The story took place in Kentucky where slavery was still prevalent however right across the river in Ohio slavery was banned. Christmas recalls that he could see Ohio right across the river from his plantation. Christmas was raised as a baby by his Granny Judith who worked long hard days and spent lots of time over her dye pot, boiling and dying “hanks of thread” lots of bright colors for her quilt. Granny Judith was taken from Africa by strangers who lured her out with a bright red cloth. She tells Christmas of her story and tells him she needs something from him. She wants him to row slaves to freedom across the river. To find out what happens to Christmas and Granny Judith pick up this book I think you will enjoy. material is threaded though the water signifying that it’s taking her with it. I would use this book in my classroom when talking about justice, freedom, civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr., slavery, the underground railroad and history in general. The list could go on; this book could be used in so many ways and bring so much insight and knowledge to students. I think that through its inspiring story and breathtaking illustrations kids will pick up this book and not put it down until they are done.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Booklist
*Starred Review* The team who created Circle Unbroken (2004) once again brings African American history close. Drawing on accounts in the Slave Narrative Collection, compiled during the 1930s as part of the Federal Writers' Project, Raven presents her story from the viewpoint of Christmas John, 12, born on Christmas morning and raised on a Kentucky plantation by Granny Judith, who was captured as a child in Africa. One night Granny Judith asks him to row a young slave across the river to freedom in Ohio. Christmas John is scared, but he helps the slave and many others escape. Finally, it becomes too dangerous for him to stay on the plantation. Granny Judith wants him to leave, but how can he leave her behind? The older mentor is as tough as the young boy, and Lewis' beautiful, unframed double-page spreads depict the bond between them, including their heartbreaking farewell embrace. The close-ups filled with the richly colored details of Granny Judith's dyed quilts are in stark contrast to the pictures of the night sky and black water, and the shadows of the runaways in the woods. Words and pictures work perfectly together, making sound from silence and light from darkness. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

This book would work well with grades 2-6.

[Alex Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Night Boat to Freedom is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book. The two main characters, Granny Judith, and Christmas John were based off of two different first person accounts. Their stories were woven together in Night Boat to Freedom. Granny Judith was captured into slavery by being teased with red cloth. She was so attracted to color, that when she became a slave she used her artistic abilities to dye and weave plant materials into clothing and blankets. Her love of color is reflected in the themes of the story, and in the illustrations. Christmas John was a slave born on Christmas. He helped many other slaves across the river to freedom in his night boat. He never allowed himself to be saved until it was too close to him getting caught. In this story he is Granny Judith's grandson, and even though she tells him to leave without her, he can't get himself to do it, no matter how risky bringing her would be. There are many different themes and historical aspects to this book. The illustrations add to the story extremely well. Looking just at the pictures could allow a reader to understand the book. I think this is a great book for any age group, a great read-aloud in any classroom, or a great book to read as a family.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book won First Place in the Carter G. Woodson Book Award, National Council for the Social 
Studies and The Martin Luther King Living the Dream Award; Fielder Freedom Award, among other honors.
It is a story whose roots lie in interviews recorded with former slaves by the WPA writer’s project during the Great Depression. It is about two slaves in Kentucky, a grandmother and her grandson, born on Christmas morning, and named Christmas. She quilts squares based on colors worn by those who escaped across the river from Kentucky to the free state of Ohio. For four years, Christmas rowed an old rowboat across that river in the dark of the night with slaves bound for freedom. At last, he and his grandmother escaped too, and she reveals a beautiful quilt, with the “many colors” of freedom. The illustrations enhance the story and one’s imagination when thinking about those times in our history.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This award-winning book is about a young boy, Christmas John, who was born into slavery. His grandma, Granny Judith spends her time dying, boiling, and stirring up hanks of thread. When Granny Judith explained that they had the opportunity to learn the “color of freedom” Christmas John was nervous and scared, because that required him to row a boat and take the other slaves to freedom. As a reader I had to read through it twice before I was able to grasp the entire story. The author was able to create a realistic plot and weave in many of the realities of slavery. This is a historical fiction picture book; and the author did a fantastic job of making that clear to the reader, through the characters, the setting, and the plot. Especially the language of the characters, when the characters had dialogue throughout the book the author had them speaking in a southern accent.

[Amy Baric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas John is a 12 year old slave living in Kentucky. Risking his life, he begins to row people across the river to Ohio and then returns to his life of slavery. While he rows people across, his grandma sits in her cottage and sews a quilt. One night, his grandma prompts him to free himself. She presents him with the “freedom quilt” and urges him to leave without her. However, he goes back for her and offers her the freedom that she always inspired him to give others.
Not only does this book teach others about history, but it also demonstrates the idea of doing something for others, even if it means not doing something for ourselves. In the end, helping others gave him the courage to save himself and his grandma. I think that students can be empowered by this story of bravery.

[Taneka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas John is a slave in Kentucky. Under the cover of night, Christmas takes slaves across the river to freedom in Ohio. He tells his grandmother, Granny Judith, what people wear when they make it to freedom so that she can complete her freedom quilt. She makes Christmas a red shirt to wear when he crosses the river to freedom. Together, they cross the river with dogs and slave trackers on their back. The story is weaved together from two stories found in the Slave Narratives housed at the Library of Congress.

[Emmaly]

My teacher read this book to us (because we are learning about slavery) and I thought it was a great book. It is about a boy who takes people across the Ohio river so that they can reach freedom. Each time that he gets a person across he asks them what color they are wearing. He then tells his grandmother what colors they had worn and she dyes cloth of that color for each person that crosses. When two patches are left it is time for them to leave. Read this book if you would like to see if they make it across?

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, moving story of a boy, Christmas John, and his grandmother as they worked the Underground Railroad, carrying slaves across the river to freedom, at great risk to themselves. The bond between the boy and his grandmother is poignant, and the illustrations are stunning. My children very much enjoyed the story, and it generated many questions and good conversation after we read it together.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on actual slave narratives, this is a hauntingly gorgeous picture book of the Underground Railroad. Christmas John is a 12 year old slave boy who courageously paddles slaves to freedom across the river from Kentucky to Ohio. He lives with Granny Judith, an elderly woman who creates beautiful quilts and dreams of freedom through the colors she creates. A lovely book, with several layers, and a powerful story.

[Briana Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas John is a slave who lives in Kentucky. However, in Ohio, Blacks are free, so Christmas takes slaves across the river to freedom in Ohio. He tells his grandmother, Granny Judith, what people wear when they make it to freedom so that she can complete her freedom quilt. She makes Christmas a red shirt to wear when he crosses the river to freedom. Together, both of them cross the river with dogs and slave trackers on their back.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the true stories of slaves traveling on The Underground Railroad, Night Boat to Freedom is just that...a boat piloted by Christmas John to takes runaway slaves from Kentucky across the river to Ohio and freedom. When Granny Judith feels the danger is too great, she tells Christmas John that, he too, must find a way to freedom. But, his heart will not let him leave her behind.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book is fabulous. The art and content are beautiful. We read this in our home during Black History month when my daughter and her class finished a wonderful photostory about influencial people in Black History. This story is very touching and I recommend it for ages 6 and above. You will have a greater appreciation for what people go through for freedom.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

appreciated how the author wove together true stories from slave narrative collection to create this touching tale about a boy, his grandmother, and fellow slaves "boating to freedom." love the watercolored illustrations. moved by the repeated line: "what scares the mind is best done with the heart."