Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad

Dear Levi #2

by Elvira Woodruff, Nancy Carpenter (Illustrator)

Now in paperback! In this companion novel to Dear Levi, told in letters,11-year-old Levi helps a young African American in a harrowing flight for freedom along the Underground Railroad.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Adventure, Civil War

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Elvira Woodruff is an American children's author known for blending fantasy and history in her stories. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, she studied English literature at Adelphi and Boston University. Before becoming a writer, she worked a variety of jobs and later found inspiration while working as a librarian in Easton, Pennsylvania. Woodruff has published numerous children's books, including George Washington's Socks, The Memory Coat, and Dear Levi. Her work has been praised for its engaging storytelling and historical depth. Throughout her career, she has created imaginative, heartfelt stories that continue to captivate young readers.

Reviews

[Steve Shilstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bland and gentle MG historical fiction dealing with the not bland and not gentle Underground Railroad.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the sequel to "Dear Levi." Like the first book, it is also written as letters--this time from Austin in Pennsylvania to Levi, who successfully made it to Oregon Territory in the first book.

This book was simplistic, just as "Dear Levi", but I found that it didn't work for the issues in this book. As you can see from the title, this book tries to tackle slavery from an 11-year-old perspective, and I didn't think it handled it at all, really. I'm sure the author was shying away from a lot of things due to the age of the target audience, but in the end the result was a bland book that made the Underground Railroad seem more like a big adventure than a serious means of escape from slavery.

(The other fourth grade homeroom is reading this book...I'm not going to enjoy teaching it as much.)

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 3-6 135pgs


1853 Pennsylvania. 11 year old Austin has been left behind to recover from consumption while his brother Levi sets up their claim in Oregon. He writes to Levi about how he spends his days, for the most part, hanging out with his friends Possum and Jupiter. Life becomes a little more exciting than Austin wants when slavehunters show up and take Jupiter's sister Darcy with them. It turns out that Jupiter and his sister Darcy are slaves who escaped from their plantation. Unlike their father, they were not freed. Jupiter and Levi are determined to rescue her. Together they make the dangerous trip South.

Despite its title, I didn't think the story included a lot of information about the Underground railroad. Until almost the end of the book, Levi had been completely unaware that the Underground railroad was active in his town.

[Catherine Petrini · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging epistolary novel, with rambunctious 11-year-old Levi, in Pennsylvania, writing letters to his brother Austin, who has taken the Oregon Trail west. Austin is always coming up with wild schemes for having adventures and being a hero, but finds that real-life danger is a lot more harrowing, and a lot more complicated. This is too simplistic a look at slavery to be of interest to older kids, but would be a good introduction to the topic of the Underground Railroad for younger readers. I'd recommend it for 3rd graders.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book was written for young people I enjoyed it. Its a very serious subject for the age group but I believe knowledge is power. While, in the beginning, there are humorous moments the story takes on the serious topic of slavery in the deep South before emancipation & handles it with respect. The story doesn't end the way I had hoped but it was more realistic

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about racial prejudice, slavery and the underground railroad for children, although not a lot was said about the underground railroad. Told from an 11-year-old's perspective, it was funny, scary, and down to earth.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny little boy made me chuckle. As well written as the first, and equally sad and harrowing at times.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent story, full of history. I am very glad I read.

[Travelmaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes me want to read others by this author. Well told, from a young person's point of view. Donating to a local classroom.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good book.

[Brandy D Osborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with a lot of information

[oliver · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is also dogshit

[MaryLou]

Read this children’s book back in March before I started writing reviews, so can’t fairly rate it so many months later.

[Mary Raccuia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Austin takes places in the 1850s. It 's the story of a young boy from Pennsylvania who is writing letters to his older brother Levi who traveled out west to Oregon and the underground railroad. A must read for any young reader who wants to read a first account of the underground railroad and how it effected many communities. A great way to introduce slavery and the road to freedom the underground placed.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, perfect story of slavery and the Underground Railroad for children. It shows the inhumanity and fear inherent in slavery without going into too much detail. Nothing inappropriate whatsoever.
It only gets four stars because the beginning is too slow and makes you want to quit reading.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story written in letters from Levi to his brother Austin who is traveling on the Oregon trail.

Levi keeps writing his brother to tell him about all that is going on in their home town of Sudbury Pennsylvania. The trouble that Levi and his friends Possum and Jupiter get into.

Great book for any young reader.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! We read this together as a family and we all enjoyed it. There was a lot of humor and it gave my children a better understanding of what slavery was all about. This is a 5th to 6th grade level.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it's a kid's book, it's still amazing!! I really loved the story. Reminds me of The Adventures of Huck Finn but less complex. Still, I cried a lot while reading this book. It is so well-written. I never thought that a simple children's book would make me cry so much!

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

This pre-Civil War epistolary novel begins with a light tone but quickly sobers. Dealing with the harsh reality of slave catchers and auctions, the young characters provide the reader with a heartfelt tale of friendship and courage.

[Ashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very easy read

[Samuel Finley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in 3rd grade and I remembered it. I wasn't that into it until later on in the story, when things get interesting.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very good book and I'm glad that my mom found it, because I like adventures a lot! I think my favorite character is Levi.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this one. I enjoyed this story told through letters. An easy to read introduction to the Underground Railroad. Not a conventional happy ending either.

[WSL Library]

x2

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historical fiction in letter form

[Nettyx33 Michellee:P]

it was a good book

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13136770