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Summary
Summary
What would it take for slaves to escape from slavery in the Deep South, 1,000 miles from freedom and then on to England during the period of the Fugitive Slave Act? For most slaves the thought of escape was unimaginable. But fear did not stop Ellen and William Craft from chasing freedom.
An inspiring and riveting story of two amazing people stopping at nothing to fight for freedom and racial equality, this thrilling true tale chronicles Ellen and William Craft's lives from their flight from slavery in Georgia to their rise to world-wide fame as heroes of the Abolitionist movement.
Illustrated with period artwork, newspaper clippings, and archival photographs, 5,000 Miles to Freedom captures the unforgiving realities of slave life, the political hatred between North and South, and, above all, the extraordinary achievements of this remarkable couple.
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Author Notes
Dennis Brindell Fradin and his wife Judith Bloom Fradin have collaborated on several award-winning books for young readers. The Fradins live in Evanston, IL.
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-9-In 1848, light-skinned Ellen Craft, dressed in the clothing of a rich, white man, assumed the identity of "Mr. William Johnson" and, escorted by his black slave, William, traveled by railroad and boat to reach the North. With the passage of a more stringent Fugitive Slave Law in 1850, the couple, whose story was well known as a result of public speeches and accounts in the abolitionist press, decided to travel to England. Here they improved their education, perfected their occupational skills, and continued to cultivate influential friends. In 1869, they returned to the United States, opening a school and operating a farm in Georgia. Their lives were a continuing source of adventure and inspiration. This lively, well-written volume presents the events in their lives in an exciting, page-turner style that's sure to hold readers' attention. Black-and-white photographs, illustrations, and reproductions enhance the text. Relying heavily upon primary sources, including letters, diaries, and newspapers, the story unfolds in a smooth narrative with dialogue based upon the Crafts' own book, Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom. This is an important and well-organized addition to any collection.-Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
This fascinating account of a slave couple's daring 1848 escape to freedom features authenticated dialogue, archival photographs, and reproductions of newspaper articles. The book is both scholarly (documented information on slavery and the abolitionist movement) and accessible (through the Crafts' own words and those of their descendants). Author's note, chapter notes, maps, and timeline accompany the well-written text. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Gr. 6-9. Both exciting escape adventure and gripping history, this account of a husband and wife on the run from slavery traces their journey to freedom in the U.S and across the world. Ellen is a light-skinned African American, daughter of the master who raped her mother. Disguised as a wealthy Southern gentleman, she escapes with her husband, William, disguised as her slave, and they travel by train and steamboat to freedom in Boston. When their astonishing story makes the fugitive couple famous, slave catchers come after them, so the Crafts leave for England, where they continue their abolitionist work, until their return home after the Civil War. The Fradins, whose many fine histories include Ida B. Wells (2000), draw heavily on the Crafts' personal accounts to add depth and drama to the carefully documented narrative. The handsome design includes lots of photos, archival artwork, letters, and newspaper accounts. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2006 Booklist
Table of Contents
Authors' Note | p. 4 |
Chapter 1 A Desperate Leap for Liberty | p. 7 |
Chapter 2 Years in Bondage | p. 11 |
Chapter 3 The First Thousand Miles | p. 25 |
Chapter 4 The City of Brotherly Love | p. 41 |
Chapter 5 The Cradle of Liberty | p. 47 |
Chapter 6 Fugitives Again | p. 61 |
Chapter 7 A New Life in England | p. 65 |
Chapter 8 Going Home | p. 79 |
Afterword | p. 89 |
Timeline | p. 92 |
Sources and Bibliography | p. 93 |
Index | p. 95 |