Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Hardwood Creek Library (Forest Lake) | J 921 PARKER | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | J 921 PARKER | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Freedom River.
Author Notes
Doreen Rappaport (www.doreenrappaport.com) has written numerous award-winning books for children, including: Freedom Ship and The School Is Not White ( both illustrated by Curtis James); Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Honor Book; and Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. She lives and writes in upstate New York.
Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Book Illustrator Award winner Bryan Collier has created art for many award winning children's books, including his master achievements, Rosa, Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Freedom River, and John's Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon. Bryan lives in New York City with his wife and daughter.
Reviews (4)
Horn Book Review
Rappaport tells a story from the life of John Parker, a resourceful ex-slave who risked his life as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Repetition of phrases adds a cadence of urgency to the text, and Collier's unique blend of collage and watercolors are as dramatic as the story. A historical note provides sources and points out the minor fictionalized details added to the narrative. Bib. From HORN BOOK Spring 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 3^-5. Based on a true slave escape story, this picture book for older children combines an exciting, heartrending narrative with dramatic collage and watercolor pictures. John Parker was an ex-slave who became a successful businessman and an active conductor on the Underground Railroad. On one of his journeys, he helped an African American couple escape with their baby from the slave state of Kentucky to the free state of Ohio. The white owner knew the slave parents would never leave their child behind, so he had the baby sleep at the foot of his bed; but Parker stole the baby, tricked the master, and led the family across the river to freedom. Rappaport frames the incident with a biography of Parker, who may have helped as many as 900 African Americans. In a note, illustrator Bryan Collier speaks about his pictures, but his main commentary is about his own religion: he believes that Parker's story is about the power of prayer. His spiritual message will appeal to some readers; others will find it intrusive and simply focus on the inspiring story and stirring narrative pictures. --Hazel Rochman
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-This strikingly beautiful picture book relates the true story of John Parker, an African-American businessman who bought his own freedom and helped others to gain theirs via the Underground Railroad. Rappaport chronicles just one of many incidents in which Parker helped families escape from Kentucky, a slave state, across the river to freedom in Ohio. Repetitions highlighted in large type such as, "Run, run-Row, row-Wait, wait. Listen, listen" add drama and poetry to the moving narrative. The author's and illustrator's notes at the beginning and the historical note at the end strengthen the story's impact. The hyperrealistic collage-and-watercolor illustrations dominated by deep blues and browns also add drama; the ancestors and protectors are depicted in an ethereal manner with wavy lines across their faces representing the river. Endpapers feature reproductions of a map of the Ohio River. A distinguished and thought-provoking title.-Cynde Marcengill, Horry County Memorial Library, Surfside Beach, SC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Before the Civil War, John Parker, an ex-slave, successful businessman, and resident of the free state of Ohio crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky (a slave state) and risked his own life to free those still in bondage. Rappaport (Dirt on Their Skirts, p. 64, etc.) recounts one incident in the life of a brave conductor on the Underground Railroad in tones that echo a family tale being passed down. Wait, wait. Listen. Listen. Only crickets and bullfrogs breaking the silence of the fall of night. Parker crosses the Ohio River under the cloak of darkness to rescue a captive family. Hes almost caught but narrowly escapes. His breathlessness and fear are conveyed by the rhythm of the telling. Run, Run. Back to the river. Back to his skiff. Row, row. Away . . . Parker patiently waits through winter then returns to the plantation. The family he has come to rescue refuses his help. Since Parkers last visit, the master of the plantation has taken Sarahs baby away every night to ensure that the family wont try to escape. The incomparable illustrations by Collier (Uptown, p. 793) are a unique blend of torn and cut paper, photographs, and watercolor that have an almost mosaic quality. An off-kilter placement and a nighttime palette of purples, blues, and black emphasize the precariousness of Parkers situation. Guardian ancestors appear on several facing pages to watch over Parkers trials and give a physical manifestation to the readers hopes and prayers. An illustrated book for older children such as the audience of Polaccos Pink and Say (1994), this volume is a model of excellence in picture-book making from the sepia-toned river map reproduction adorning the endpapers to the notable page layout. (authors note, bibliography, reading list) (Picture book. 7-10)
