Race to Freedom

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Denis, Julia, Rohan, Selamawit, Kitiwe, and Prunella Strange, together
with the rest of their class, are rehearsing for their Heritage Day
Assembly. In order to better prepare, the six decide to travel back in
time (as they have done in an earlier book) to the days of the
Underground Railroad. Twisting and turning through the hallways of
“Strange House,” Prunella’s home, the friends travel back to
Windsor in 1844, just in time to help put out a fire in the local inn.

The excitement continues as they encounter runaway slaves from a
Louisiana plantation who followed the North Star to freedom in Canada,
and learn what it is like to live without modern plumbing, central
heating, and hockey. They also meet a host of characters, real people of
the time, including Mary Bibb, who taught black children in her one-room
school; Elijah McCoy, an engineer and inventor whose success led to the
expression “the real McCoy”; and Arthur Rankin, a member of the
legislature and strong opponent of slavery. Then their adventure takes a
turn. Sela, Kitiwe, and Rohan are kidnapped by slave catchers, shackled,
and thrown into the hold of a ship to be taken to Detroit and sold.

Preteens will enjoy Race to Freedom for its fast pace, nonstop action,
colorful characters, and vivid descriptions—the adventures never stop
until all of the friends are safely home once again. Because the book is
historically accurate, readers may absorb a certain amount of factual
information as well. The inclusion of a glossary is an added bonus.
Recommended.