May 1, 2008
Gr 3-7-This volume has "3 Story Paths, 37 Choices, 16 Endings" to give children an interactive reading experience and varied outcomes. The text is short and has a somewhat robotic tone. Readers can be a runaway slave, a slave catcher, or an abolitionist. If they opt for the first choice, they are instructed to turn to page 13 to continue the story. There they find out that their father wants to escape, but their mother wants to stay behind. Now readers must decide whether to remain with one parent or go with the other. The text exclaims, "What a terrible choice!" Good point. Perhaps this is not the best topic for the series. After all, most slaves' options were not really good ones, so the story is somewhat of an exercise in futility. Throughout the book, reproductions of photos and illustrations from the period make the information visually appealing. "Underground Railroad" offers some historically accurate details but the choice of theme coupled with stilted writing makes it a limited purchase."Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY"
Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2008
This Choose Your Own Adventure-style book immerses readers in the history of the Underground Railroad. Though the information is limited, the three story paths allow readers to face complex moral issues and consider the motivations and decisions of each character, including a slave catcher. Reproductions and maps support the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.
(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)