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Summary
Summary
In Sharon Dennis Wyeth's sequel to My America: Freedom's Wings, Corey and his family have escaped from slavery and the South and are now living in Canada. They own their own land, have made new friends, and Corey gets to go to school. But danger still remains across the river in Ohio, where slavecatchers lurk, waiting to capture escaped slaves to bring them back to their former masters. Corey, however, outsmarts them, and brings his friend Mingo to safety in Canada.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-In Patriots, Hope, 10, lives in Philadelphia in 1777. George Washington and his troops are nearby fighting the Redcoats, who capture the city and move into her home. Gregory engages readers with the tumultuous elements of conflict and war, making this book a page-turner. Flying follows Corey, 10, an escaped slave who is now forging a life as a free person in Canada with his family. With the exception of the rescue of his best friend, there is little excitement in this plotless, formulaic story. Also, Corey's facility with language doesn't ring true. The historical note at the end of each volume offers interesting facts and a few black-and-white photos. The large font size and short entries make these books quick and accessible to reluctant and good readers alike. Although not great literature, they may be popular historical-fiction choices for kids who are willing to suspend disbelief.-Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
In this well-written sequel to [cf2]FreedomÆs Wings,[cf1] Corey and his family have escaped slavery and settled in Amherstburg, Canada. In simple but moving prose, nine-year-old Corey records his experiences as he helps build the familyÆs new cabin, attends school for the first time, and dreams that Mingo, his young friend from Kentucky, will join him in the north. An afterword places events in historical context. From HORN BOOK Fall 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Corey Birdsong and his family have reached freedom in Canada in this sequel to Freedom's Wings (not reviewed). His journal relates the last harrowing days of their flight from slavery, their feelings of rapture upon arrival, and the steps they take to forge a new, independent life. They are welcomed in a community that is made up largely of other former slaves. Here they dare to dream of owning their own farm, of proper schooling, of making their mark. Corey is fascinated by the people around him, and makes special note of the black people who have responsible, respected places in society. But they must always be aware that there are slave-catchers just over the water who are waiting for a chance to recapture the runaways and return them to slavery. And always in their hearts are the people they left behind, like Corey's best friend Mingo. Wyeth breathes full life into Corey. His voice is true and clear. He is loving, curious, intelligent, brave, and determined. He's thrilled by all the new sights, sounds, and experiences, and describes everything and everyone with delightful and insightful enthusiasm. There are many well-written works for children concerning daring and dangerous escapes along the Underground Railroad, but most end with the first steps into Canada. Here, finally, is a glimpse of what came next. Besides weaving many historically accurate facts within the story, Wyeth provides an interesting, informative afterword that includes period photographs. Fascinating. (Historical fiction. 7-12)
Booklist Review
Gr. 2-4. In 1858, nine-year-old Corey Birdsong and his family flee Kentucky and their lives as slaves. With the aid of the Underground Railroad, the Birdsongs arrive in Amherstburg, Canada. There, an entire community of people of color welcomes them and helps the family build new lives in freedom. Children need not be familiar with book one of Corey's diary, Freedom's Wings(2001), to take up this continuation. Through Corey's entries and the informative notes, children find out about African Canadians, like those in Corey's new home, who owned land and businesses, had their own churches and schools, and eagerly helped newcomers like the Birdsongs get on their feet. In the course of his diary, Corey escapes a slave catcher and helps a friend steal away from Kentucky to freedom--episodes that add excitement as well as historic relevancy. A solid addition to the My America series. Ellen Mandel.
